A new sexually motivated attack came to light on Friday in France, days after an American tourist was raped inside a public toilet on the banks of the River Seine in a busy part of Paris.
The new episode, involving a 21-year-old girl assaulted on a train, took place on the 4th, but has only now been reported. The case took place in Saint-Étienne, a city close to Lyon, in the central region of the country.
The victim was on a regional train when she was approached by the man, who questioned her about the length of her clothing. According to witnesses, the young woman screamed in response, asking if he had ever seen a woman in a skirt. The 31-year-old assailant, who was visibly intoxicated, then spat and slapped her across the face.
The young woman asked station agents for help, who managed to grab the man as he tried to escape on a scooter.
The attacks bring back to the spotlight statistics released by the French Interior Ministry earlier this year: the country had a 33% growth in sexually motivated attacks in 2021, compared to 2020.
According to police data, rapes and attempted rapes increased from about 26,000 to 34,000. Other sexual assaults, a category that includes harassment, increased from 31,000 to 41,500.
Compared to five years ago, 2016, today’s numbers are double. The folder made the reservation that the increase in data also involves statements of old facts, which had not been reported by the victims when they happened.
In the case of the 27-year-old American tourist, she was in a very busy and safe place, very close to Notre Dame Cathedral. The area on the banks of the River Seine is often the scene of events, with many Parisians having drinks or picnics, especially in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer season.
Early last Sunday, around 1:30 am (local time), she stopped to use a public restroom. After a wait that seemed too long, her partner approached the bathroom and heard crying sounds. Security agents at bars in the area helped the boy stop the attack and called the police, who arrested the rapist.
The 23-year-old initially stated that the victim had consented to the relationship, but was arrested for rape. He had no documents and would have declared himself an Algerian.
Although the ministry puts the increase in rape cases into perspective, the report also revealed an increase in domestic violence in the country. The total number of victims of intentional assault and beatings (in people aged 15 and over) increased by 14%. There were 307 thousand in 2021, against 274 thousand in 2020.
On the other hand, the report showed a drop in robberies (25% less in the last four years) and stability in the number of thefts and vehicle theft.
