Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
A British woman has come forward about an alleged assault she faced from a parasailing instructor while airborne during a holiday in Tunisia.
Michelle Wilson, 52, recounted her experience after returning from a trip to Sousse, Tunisia, where she traveled with her 17-year-old daughter, her twin 16-year-old sons, and her daughter’s friend.
The mother had spent nearly $8,000 on the holiday and was eagerly looking forward to an exhilarating ride when she arranged a tandem parasailing flight.
Initially planning to parasail with a friend, Michelle discovered on the day of the activity that the winds were too strong, so she ended up going with an operator instead.
Her friend went up first and, according to Michelle, had a ‘great time, with no problems,’ as she shared with The Sun.
However, when it was Michelle’s turn, she alleged that the operator pressed against her and groped her during the flight.
She described the incident: “I could feel the back of my bikini bottoms being pulled and he was pulling the strap. He must have been tightening the harness to get me closer. His legs straddled around me, he had one hand up on the parachute, the other wasn’t. Then I felt him touch my leg.
“He was groping me and moving back and forth into me and talking to me in Arabic. I felt him pressing against me. I kept arching my back. I felt violated and dirty and was scared. He was only a young lad, maybe around 20.”
Describing the experience as ‘horrible’, Michelle added: “I was really scared. I felt helpless hanging in the air.”
After landing, Michelle reported that she broke down in tears and immediately lodged a complaint with the center’s manager and then with local police.
She said: “As women, you expect a bit of banter from men in these countries, but this wasn’t banter, it was a sexual assault.”
Michelle believes her attacker has since been arrested. In the meantime, her insurance company and the Foreign Office are providing support for her case.
EasyJet, the airline through which Michelle arranged her holiday, stated: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is a priority, and we are continuing to support Ms Wilson.
“We are also liaising closely with our hotel partner to look into the reports.”
Sousse, situated approximately 86 miles south of the capital Tunis, is a coastal city renowned for its sandy beaches, historical sites like the Great Mosque, and vibrant nightlife.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7, or chat online via online.rainn.org