A young woman was reportedly assaulted and sexually harassed by a man on a Paris train before a courageous passenger came to her rescue upon hearing her distress. The incident, captured in a disturbing video, involved Jhordana Dias, a 26-year-old Brazilian national, pleading for help as her alleged assailant pointed towards the intervening woman and then fled the scene when the train halted. The footage of Jhordana’s traumatic ordeal sparked widespread outrage after being shared by French newspaper Le Parisien.
The assault occurred on the morning of October 16 between Choisy-le-Roi and Villeneuve-le-Roi stations on Line C of the Réseau Express Régional (RER) train. The man reportedly targeted Jhordana as she was alone and boarded the carriage just as the doors were closing. Feeling threatened by his demeanor, she sensed an impending attack.
According to Jhordana, the suspect sat beside her and initiated a violent assault, including an attempted rape. She recounted resisting his advances, enduring physical aggression such as being pushed down and assaulted. Despite her struggles, the perpetrator proceeded to engage in unwanted physical contact, leaving her in a state of shock.
Her cries for help prompted a courageous woman from another carriage to step in. Documenting the situation on her mobile phone, the intervening passenger caused the suspect to flee the scene. Jhordana promptly contacted her brother, Cicero Junior, who has been residing in France for six years. He described the attack as life-threatening, emphasizing the severity of the situation faced by his recently arrived sister.
Upon Cicero’s arrival at the station, it was discovered that the police and train security had been notified, but the suspect had already escaped. Despite initial police assistance, the siblings later expressed disappointment at the perceived lack of urgency in addressing the incident.
An examination of Jhordana’s injuries was scheduled for October 29, with concerns that the healing process might compromise the evidence. Opting for a private medical evaluation, she detailed the extent of her injuries, highlighting the physical trauma endured during the assault.
As of now, the suspect remains unidentified, raising concerns about the safety of women on public transport in France. Recent data from the National Observatory on Violence Against Women revealed alarming statistics, indicating that seven out of ten women in the Île-de-France region, including Paris, have experienced some form of sexual violence while using public transportation.
For confidential assistance, individuals can contact the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line at 0808 500 2222 or access chat and interpretation services online.