Danielle McLaughlin's body was found naked in a pool of blood in a field in southern Goa on Tuesday morning

The 28-year-old, who lived in Liverpool, had been at a Holi celebration on Palolem beach on Monday night

Her naked body was found by a farmer in a pool of blood four miles away sparking a murder investigation

Suspect named as Vikat Bhagat, who police say is a known thief, has been arrested and 'made a confession'

Bhagat, 23, told police that he sexually assaulted Ms McLaughlin and disfigured her face with a beer bottle

CCTV footage has emerged showing Ms McLaughlin's final movements as she walked along a road in Goa

Ms McLaughlin's mother, Andrea Brannigan, said that her daughter will be 'sadly missed' following her death

The man suspected of murdering a British backpacker in Goa has been escorted to a police station with a bag over his head, as authorities confirmed the 28-year-old was raped before her death.

Danielle McLaughlin was found in a pool of blood on Tuesday morning after she had attended Holi celebrations at Palolem beach. Her killer reportedly sexually assaulted her and 'disfigured' her face with a beer bottle.

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A local man, 23-year-old Vikat Bhagat, who police said was a known thief, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is said to have made a confession.

Witnesses who were with Danielle the night before she was found dead have since revealed she was pulled away from them by five locals she said she knew who told her: 'You're with us, remember?'

It comes as chilling CCTV footage emerged showing the final movements of 28-year-old Danielle - and a man believed to be Bhagat following her down a road.

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, is pictured playing guitar in Kasol town during her first visit to Himachal Pradesh, northern India in March, 2016

Danielle McLaughlin with an Indian tribal woman at Haridwar during her first visit to Uttarakhand, India, i March, 2016

Vikat Bhagat, 23, is pictured with his head covered after being arrested over Danielle's murder

On Thursday, police confirmed Danielle's post mortem had been completed as they held Bhagat (pictured) in custody. Deputy Superintendent Sammy Tavares, from Canacona Police Station, said results confirm cause of death was by strangulation and injuries to the head

Suspect Vikat Bhagat

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, in Kasol town during her first visit to India

The night before she died, Danielle had met some British tourists at Palolem.

One of them, Dave Woodruff, 37, said she was 'free-spirited' and 'really interesting' but that a group of about five local men 'would pull her back and say, "You’re with us, remember?".'

He told The Guardian, that Danielle shrugged off the instructions and revealed she had met one of them a year earlier and that he was going to help her find accommodation at the beach.

Later, at about 9pm, Mr Woodruff and two other friends asked if she wanted to go swimming.

'She said, "Yeah, give me two minutes. I just need to talk to my friends", referring to the group of men,' Mr Woodruff said.

But when he returned close to 9.40pm both Danielle and the men had disappeared.

A post mortem on Danielle has revealed that she was strangled to death later that night and it also confirmed she had been sexually assaulted. Two pathologists revealed that she had died as a result of a compression of the neck and their report has been passed to police.

Danielle is pictured during a walk in the mountains at Kasol town during her first visit to Himachal Pradesh, northern India in March, 2016

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, (showing the victory sign) is pictured with her friend Rishabh Surana, 29, (playing the flute) at his office in Kolkata, India in March, 2016

CCTV video has emerged showing the final movements of British tourist Danielle McLaughlin (left) before she was brutally raped and murdered in an Indian holiday resort

CCTV video has emerged showing the final movements of British tourist Danielle McLaughlin (left) before she was brutally raped and murdered in an Indian holiday resort

Danielle McLaughlin (left) was seen carrying a bag and walking along a road in Goa with an unknown man behind her in the grainy footage

Danielle McLaughlin (left) was seen carrying a bag and walking along a road in Goa with an unknown man behind her in the grainy footage

Ms McLaughlin was been found dead near a beach in the Indian holiday resort of Goa amid fears she was raped and murdered. Police descended on the scene of the murder (pictured) on Tuesday morning a

Ms. McLaughlin, who is thought to have lived in Liverpool, had just arrived from the north of the state and had been seen out and about at a party on Monday night at nearby Palolem beach, popular with Western tourists

A local man named as Vikat Bhagat has been arrested

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Her family will then be able to take her body home tomorrow which is currently being sorted by the British Consulate.

Sammy Tavares, the Deputy Superintendent of Police said: 'She died of compression of neck and suffered cranial cerebral damage. There was also wounds showing there was rape. She suffered grave injuries to her head and face and died.'

Bhagat, 23, confessed to the killing, saying he sexually assaulted Ms McLaughlin before disfiguring her face with a beer bottle

It comes as it emerged that Ms McLaughlin may have met her alleged killer a year ago and amid claims he told police he was not alone when the backpacker was killed. Officers are now understood to be quizzing three other suspects.

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Backpacker Ms McLauilin, who arrived in Goa on February 23, had been at Agonda beach and Patnem beach with friends during her first fortnight in the state.

On Monday night she celebrated the Holi festival at nearby Palolem beach, popular with Western tourists.

Her badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Deobag Beach about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face and head.

Police have arrested Bhagat, a convicted criminal, and he has reportedly confessed, saying he disfigured her with a beer bottle so people would not be able to identify her.

Today it emerged that Bhagat has told police that he was friends with Danielle and the pair had first met on her previous visit a year ago.

Sammy Taveres, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Canacona, said: 'We are waiting for the post-mortem report and expecting it to come up by this evening. There were some formalities with the Embassy but a team of doctors are on it. It is underway at the moment.

'We suspect Vikat tried to sexually assault her as he has injury marks on groin area and thighs. They do not look like nail marks but they are deep cuts.

Ms McLaughlin's badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Deobag Beach about four miles away on Tuesday morning

She had suffered extensive injuries to her face and head

At the vigil on Wednesday night, 200 local and foreign nationals gathered with flowers to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin in Goa

A 28-year-old, named by police as Danielle McLaughlin (pictured), was found naked in a pool of blood in a field yesterday morning after attending Holi celebrations in the Canacona area of southern Goa, India

A 28-year-old, named by police as Danielle McLaughlin (pictured), was found naked in a pool of blood in a field yesterday morning after attending Holi celebrations in the Canacona area of southern Goa, India

Floral tributes are left on Deobag beach in Goa, India where Danielle McLaughlin was found dead. Last night hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the 28-year-old

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, was found naked in a pool of blood yesterday morning after attending Holi celebrations in southern Goa. A picture of the backpacker is seen today at the spot where she was found

'It seems the deceased struggled to get off his grip. But we cannot tell you anything until the post-mortem report is out. Only the report would confirm if she was raped or sexually assaulted.

'We are still interrogating Vikat. He has been maintaining that he killed her with a broken beer bottle but not speaking up further.

'He is not telling the reason for the murder. We also found the shards of the same near her body at the crime spot. But it is unclear if they were drinking together.

'Vikat has told us that they knew each other as Danielle had visited Goa last year and became friends with him. But she used to call him brother. They would hang out but had never gone out of the area (Canacona) together. It was more like a local knowing a foreigner.

'We are yet finding out where all she had gone before the incident and who all were with her. Vikat had tried to name a few men before but later said he was all alone with her before her last. We are investigating all angles and interrogating suspects. She was not with any foreigner the day before, this we know.'

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In further police interviews, Bhagat has reportedly revealed that he was not alone when Danielle was killed. Police are now quizzing three other suspects.

Danielle arrived in Goa on February 23 and stayed at Arambol beach in Pernem, northern Goa, but she left for Cancona last Sunday with a British friend.

A floral tribute in the shape of a heart is left at the murder scene this morning. Hundreds have come to the secluded spot to pay their respects

Officers from Canacona police station (pictured today) are investigating the murder and rape of the British backpacker

Police said this morning that they had arrested a suspect named as Vikat Bhagat (pictured) who they said was a petty thief. He is said to have made a confession

Police said this morning that they had arrested a suspect named as Vikat Bhagat (pictured) who they said was a petty thief. He is said to have made a confession

She checked into a hotel in Agonda and on Monday is understood to have left the friend at about 1pm to meet friends from a previous visit to Goa – believed to be Bhagat.

As they moved around the Palolem beach area, they went to a beach bar which was holding a party to celebrate the Holi festival where they began drinking.

It is claimed the pair even had a row with a bar owner at about 9.30pm as they bought bottles of beer. They were then seen leaving together on Bhagat’s scooter.

After her body was found, police were told by other party goers that Bhagat had been spotted with her and when they found the footage of the pair, they arrested him.

They then reportedly found her clothes packed in a bag dumped near Bhagat’s home.

She had been at the La La Land restaurant in the Dreamcatcher resort at about 5.30pm on Monday afternoon and was reportedly seen sitting with two or three men and was not drinking.

A local said: 'We didn't pay her much attention as it is a common sight to see foreigners with Indian men. The area is very popular with tourists.'

But she is believed to have then left with Bhagat and drank at several bars before reportedly heading to the Leopard Valley nightclub.

Bhagat appeared in court again today and was remanded in custody for seven days. More charges are expected following the post mortem results today.

On February 22 Ms McLaughlin revealed she was 'off on another adventure' to Goa.

She wrote: 'Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know... Off on another adventure.'

The 28-year-old's body was discovered by a farmer about four miles away from Palolem beach on Tuesday morning

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said that officers had arrested Vikat Bhagat (pictured) and that 'he has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity'

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said that officers had arrested Vikat Bhagat (pictured) and that 'he has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity'

Ms McLaughlin's Facebook profile says she had studied at Liverpool John Moores University and was from Buncrana in Ireland. She is pictured, centre, with some children during one trip abroad

About 200 mourners attended a vigil on Wednesday night to mourn McLaughlin, as her mother, Andrea Brannigan, said she would be 'sadly missed'

Under the same post yesterday, which included a sunset landscape picture, a friend wrote: 'Beautiful sunset for a beautiful soul'.

Her mother, Andrea Brannigan, said last night her daughter would be 'sadly missed' as 200 locals and foreign nationals gathered in Goa to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin.

Last night 200 local and foreign nationals attended a vigil to pay tribute to the backpacker.

Yesterday, it emerged that Bhagat was arrested in March 2014 for targeting foreigners in a string of burglaries in the area.

One British holidaymaker revealed a thief had sneaked into their holiday villa through a balcony and taken a laptop, two mobile phones and a portable hard drive worth around £1,620.

Another told how he had taken a laptop, camera, mobile phone and CDs worth more than £1,100.

FARMER WHO FOUND DANIELLE'S BODY 'RESCUED A FOREIGNER FROM THROUGH SAME FIELD IN 2015' A farmer who found the body of a British backpacker in a field in Goa on Tuesday has told how he rescued a foreigner running through the same field two years ago. Prashant Kumar Pant, 50, was checking his land on Tuesday morning when he found Danielle McLaughlin's body. He said: 'I've felt very scared since. I haven't slept very well. I can no longer pass the area where the girl was found. I take a different route through my fields now.' Prashant said the area where the body was found was littered with empty crisp packets and empty bottles of Kingfisher beer. He also said there was evidence of urine and feaces nearby, which officers took away for testing. 'There were many things around her,' he said. 'The police searched the area and took it all away. There was also a gold locket near her too.' But Prashant, who owns a coconut and cashew nut plantation, remembered finding a crying young girl aged around 18-years-old running through his field two years ago. 'I was checking my fields for cattle again that time,' he said. 'When I saw this girl crying and running. I went to help her and she looked like she was on drugs. She was white but I don't know which country she was from. I called my relative as I didn't know what to do and she called the police. The police came and took her away. 'It saddens me that such things happen near my home. This is a lovely area but we have these tragic events that change our home town.'

Following the reported crimes, police watched the flats and caught Bhagat who had been found guilty of seven previous offences.

A worker at the Dreamcatcher resort where Danielle had reportedly visited the day before her murder said he knew of the arrested man and that he was 'the biggest thief of the area.'

'He steals from foreigners only - break into their rooms and loot everything. He scares outsiders who have set up their business here. He is a powerful person, by powerful I mean he scares people using weapon. He is a nuisance for the society.'

Detectives had earlier said they had questioned up to 15 people over the killing of Ms McLaughlin, who was travelling under a British passport.

According to Goacom, a friend working in the accommodation business at nearby Agonda said Ms McLaughlin had arrived in the area from Arambol on Sunday and stayed with another friend.

He said she then told the friend she was going to meet some people she had met on a previous trip to the country who were going to help her find accommodation at Palolem.

Heartbroken friends of the 28-year-old backpacker (above in a Facebook picture) say she 'added happiness' to the world

It is thought Ms McLaughlin (pictured) who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', lived in Liverpool, but may have been born in Ireland

It is thought Ms McLaughlin (pictured) who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', lived in Liverpool, but may have been born in Ireland

THE LEAD UP TO VIKAT BHAGAT'S ARREST At 8.20am on Tuesday, police received information from Prashand Komarpant in Palolem, Canacona, about a body for a foreign female in an open field in Devabag, about 150m from a road leading from Canacona to Agonda. The woman had injuries on her face and head when her body was discovered. The body was identified as Danielle Mclaughlin by foreigners. She had arrived in Goa on February 23 and was staying in Arambol, but she had travelled to Festival Valley with a British friend on March 12 to stay with other foreigner friends over night. At about 1pm on March 13, Ms McLaughlin left Festival Valley and went to Palolem, where she was seen with 23-year-old Vikat Bhagat in Waddo Canacona. The pair were seen together on CCTV near a restaurant in Ourem. Miss McLaughlin was last seen with Bhagat at about 9.30pm on March 13, and was found dead the next day. Bhagat was arrested on March 14 at 3.10pm. His scooter allegedly had blood stains on it, as did his clothes. During a medical examination, officials found Bhagat had nail wounds. Bhagat has since confessed to killing Ms McLaughlin, saying he sexually assaulted her and disfigured her face with a beer bottle.

The friend said she had left at 2pm on Monday and was seen at a hotel in Palolem dancing with her Indian friends during Holi celebrations.

Police are studying the CCTV footage of all the shacks the victim visited on Monday night, and are working with teams of sniffer dogs and forensic teams.

While the police found the deceased's clothes, they are yet to locate the murder weapon. The body has been sent to the Goa Medical College near Panaji for a post mortem.

Ms McLaughlin, who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', was born in Glasgow but grew up in County Donegal.

Her Facebook profile says she had studied at Liverpool John Moores University. A spokesman said: 'The University is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin.

'We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU.'

In early February Ms McLaughlin posted a thank you to her friends for wishing her a happy birthday.

Police said this morning that they had arrested a man called Vikat Bhagat and that he had made a confession. Ms McLaughlin is pictured left with a friend

The victim's badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Devbag Beach (pictured) about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face.

In a heartbreaking post on Facebook written just days ago on February 22, Ms McLaughlin revealed how she was 'off on another adventure' to Goa

Ms McLaughlin had just arrived with a friend from the north of the state so they could celebrate Holi (file picture), a spring festival famous for crowds of people throwing paint - and held to celebrate the triumph of good over evil

'Thanks for all the birthday love. It was filled with dancing, dinners and family time. Very grateful for all the beautiful pals I have accumulated in life,' she wrote.

Christy Duffy, a close friend of Ms McLaughlin's from Buncrana, Donegal, has already raised several thousand euro on a fundraising website to help pay for the funeral and repatriation costs.

'There's not really much anyone can say at the moment as I know we are all completely devastated,' he said.

'There is nothing I need to say about Danielle as anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.

'They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better.'

Mr Duffy said the Irish embassy, the British embassy, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and many close friends are working hard on the arrangements to bring Ms McLaughlin's body home.

'The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust have been brilliant and cover most arrangements and expenses, so basically this fundraiser is to help her family with the added costs of having someone with her when she returns and to give her the send-off she deserves,' he said.

Another Friend Candice Faulkner, who grew up with Danielle in the small town of Buncrana said on Facebook: 'We are in shock. Danielle was an amazing person with so much adventure in front of her. Our small town is devastated.'

MYSTERIOUS DEATHS HAVE BLIGHTED BEACH HAVEN British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was found dead in Anjuna in mysterious circumstances in 2008 It is one of India's top tourism destinations with millions drawn by the promise of palm tree-fringed beaches and hedonistic parties. But the murder of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin is the latest case to blight picturesque Goa and its reputation as a holiday haven. In 2008, the body of British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was found bruised and semi-naked in shallow water in Anjuna, 70 miles from the spot where Ms McLaughlin was killed. The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs - though her mother Fiona MacKeown has long insisted she was murdered. Goan police initially said her death was the result of an accidental drowning before two men went on trial for assaulting and killing her. But in September, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho were cleared in an Indian court. Mackeown said yesterday that she was not surprised by Danielle's murder. The mother from Bideford, North Devon said: 'This story reinforces my belief that Goa is a dangerous place to visit. 'Scarlett's murder was covered up and I hope this one isn't. People are already comparing the two cases. It should put more pressure on the government to clean up the area. 'If they don't do something, tourists will not feel safe to come to Goa. In my case, the court revealed they did not do a proper investigation. Two years after Scarlett's death, in 2010, another mysterious death took place. Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later. An Indian post mortem result put her cause of death down to a drugs overdose and said the evidence pointed to it being an accidental death. But in 2012, an inquest in Derby heard that there were no drugs in the mother of two's system. There were 20 unexplained marks on her body. The tests in the UK showed that she had in fact died from a head injury. The family campaigned for a new investigation in India. But detectives from India's Central Bureau of Investigation later dropped the probe, insisting there was no evidence of violence. Her sister Maureen said afterwards that she still believed Denyse had been murdered. Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney (pictured) was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney (pictured) was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, between 2010 and 2014, 58 British nationals died in Goa in what are described as 'unknown' circumstances. And seven foreigners, including four women, were murdered in Goa between 2013 and February 2016, according to a local paper. Half a million holidaymakers – including more than 100,000 Britons – visit Goa each year, enticed by the Indian state’s cheap deals and winter sun. Its golden beaches, laid-back vibe and abundance of cheap drugs, make the former Portuguese colony a destination favoured by hippies and backpackers. But the murder of Danielle McLaughlin has again exposed a menacing undercurrent. The seedy side of Goa was depicted in a controversial 2011 Bollywood thriller which had a trailer with the line: ‘Here in Goa, liquor is cheap but girls are even cheaper.’ Tourist chiefs have desperately attempted to downplay the image – and tried to get the film banned – but Goa has developed a reputation for police corruption, extortion and sex attacks which allegedly involve a drug mafia with links to top politicians. Goa’s reputation as a bohemian paradise was sealed in the Sixties when hippies went there in search of peace, love and hashish. But the rise of harder drugs – including heroin, ecstasy and cocaine – has had often devastating consequences (file picture) Foreign Office advice features a stark warning to British travellers heading to Goa. It states: ‘There have been reports of drinks being spiked and travellers, including British nationals, subsequently being robbed, sexually assaulted or dying. 'There have also been reports of locals posing as police officers or government officials in order to extort money, so be alert if approached. Avoid beaches after dark.’ It also warns of reports of bag snatchings on smaller roads in some of the main tourist areas, with thieves ‘with headlights on full-beam to blind their victims’. It adds: ‘The possession or consumption of drugs is illegal and conviction for either offence may lead to a very long prison sentence. A number of British nationals in Goa die each year due to drug or alcohol abuse.’ Goa’s reputation as a bohemian paradise was sealed in the Sixties when hippies went there in search of peace, love and hashish. But the rise of harder drugs – including heroin, ecstasy and cocaine – has had often devastating consequences. Stories abound of travellers being fleeced – and sometimes sexually assaulted – in coordinated scams between drug dealers and police in resorts where hotel rooms cost as little as £20 a night. It usually involves a proposed sale of cheap drugs to naive young tourists on the beach. But police arrive and threaten the buyer with jail unless they pay the officers a hefty bribe – some of which is given to the dealer – or provide sexual favours.

And another friend of the family, Ruth Taylor said: 'My brain won't let it register!! Our poor Danielle, it's such a shock, I'm heartbroken!'

Danielle had been travelling the world, meeting up with friends as she went.

She had lived in Liverpool for many years, and had worked in the Pump House Bar on the Albert Dock before going travelling.

The firm said on Facebook: 'Very sad to hear we have lost one of our old team members Danielle McLaughlin in Goa this week. She was only 28. Goodbye Danielle. Deepest condolences to her family in Ireland.'

The Irish Independent quotes Rena Donaghey, a councillor in the Buncrana area as saying the death had left the whole community 'in deep shock'

'Everyone is very saddened by the news. She was a lovely young woman who has come to a very sad end. She was very popular and very liked in the community. She headed off on a backpacking holiday in February to do some travelling.

'On behalf of the community, I would like to offer sympathy and condolences. I hope God will give the family strength at this tragic time to help them through the weeks and months ahead.'

Police are also studying the CCTV footage of all the shacks the victim visited on Monday night, and are working with teams of sniffer dogs and forensic teams (file picture)

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin earlier confirmed it was talking to its embassy in India about the reports.

The Irish embassy said: 'Ireland's Embassy in New Delhi is in contact with Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen.

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance.'

But the Department later said it was 'following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa' who had been 'using a British passport'.

'It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate have the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities,' the spokesman added.

'The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today.'

An FCO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British-Irish woman following her death in Goa, India. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time. Indian police are conducting an investigation and we are in close contact with them.'

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach

Fiona Mackeown said today that she was not surprised by Danielle's murder

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach.

The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs - though her mother Fiona MacKeown has long insisted she was murdered.

Two men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, were cleared of raping and killing her by an Indian court last year.

Mackeown said yesterday she was not surprised by Danielle's murder.

The mother from Bideford, North Devon said: 'This story reinforces my belief that Goa is a dangerous place to visit.

'Scarlett's murder was covered up and I hope this one isn't. People are already comparing the two cases. It should put more pressure on the government to clean up the area.

'If they don't do something, tourists will not feel safe to come to Goa. In my case, the court revealed they did not do a proper investigation.

'I would think knowing what they know now they will not make same mistakes. The police seem to have acted quickly and picked up someone - they did the opposite with Scarlett.

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'Goa will not be safe until there is stiffer punishment for rapists and a change in attitude from men.'