A British woman has reported a sexual assault incident while on vacation in Tunisia. The 52-year-old mother of three, Michelle Wilson, was participating in a popular tourist activity, parasailing, when the alleged assault took place. The incident occurred mid-air off the beach in Sousse, Tunisia.
Wilson narrated her ordeal, explaining how she was strapped into a harness alongside a parasail operator. She alleges that the operator touched her inappropriately and pressed himself against her while they were in the air. Wilson also recalled the operator adjusting the harness, which involved tugging at her bikini bottoms, seemingly to bring her closer to him.
The British tourist went into further detail about the assault, stating that the operator straddled her, with one hand on the parachute and the other on her leg. She described feeling violated and scared as the operator, who she estimated to be around 20 years old, groped her and spoke to her in Arabic.
Wilson had initially planned to parasail with a friend, but due to windy conditions, they were advised to go separately, each accompanied by an operator. Her friend, she said, had an uneventful experience.
Upon landing, Wilson immediately reported the incident to local police, expressing her shock and disappointment. She stated that while she expected some level of flirtation in such tourist destinations, this incident was a clear case of sexual assault.
The trip to Tunisia, which cost Wilson $8,000, was meant to be a vacation for her and her 17-year-old daughter, her friend, and her 16-year-old twin sons.
Wilson believes that the man involved in the incident has since been arrested. She is receiving assistance from British authorities and her insurance company in dealing with the case. EasyJet, the airline with which Wilson booked her trip, is also investigating the matter.