A 52-year-old British mother’s dream vacation turned into a nightmare after a parasailing ride in Tunisia took a disturbing turn. Michelle Wilson, who was holidaying in the coastal town of Sousse with her three children and a friend, claims she was sexually assaulted mid-air by the parasailing instructor who was strapped directly behind her during the activity.

Wilson, from England, shared her harrowing experience, stating that the instructor’s behavior made her feel scared, violated, and helpless—emotions no tourist should ever feel during what’s supposed to be a thrilling, bucket-list experience. Her story, first reported by The Sun, has sparked outrage and debate online, with many showing support while others, disturbingly, questioned her account.

Wilson explained that she had planned to parasail with a friend, but on the day of the activity, the operator said it was too windy for solo rides. As a result, each person would need to be paired with an experienced parasailing staff member. Her friend went first and returned without issue, claiming the experience was enjoyable. But for Wilson, what followed ruined her entire trip.

As they soared above the sea, Wilson says she immediately felt uncomfortable. The instructor was tightly strapped behind her, which she expected, but then she noticed him pulling at the back of her bikini bottoms, allegedly adjusting the harness in a way that felt invasive. “He must have been tightening the harness to bring me closer to him,” she told The Sun.

Then, things escalated. Wilson described how the man straddled her with his legs, placing one hand on the parachute straps and the other—she says—on her leg. “He was groping me and moving back and forth against me,” she recalled, adding that he was speaking to her in Arabic during the incident. “I felt violated and dirty and was scared.”

She added that while parasailing itself was already a nerve-wracking experience, having someone violate her personal space mid-air, with nowhere to escape, intensified her fear. “I kept arching my back to try to get away from him,” she said. “But there was nothing I could do.”

Wilson said the instructor appeared to be quite young—possibly around 20 years old—which made the situation even more confusing for her. Once they landed, she broke down in tears and immediately reported the incident to the water sports center’s management, followed by a visit to the local police station to file a formal complaint.

Her claims have stirred up a wave of reactions online. Many people were sympathetic, calling the alleged assault “horrifying” and “traumatic.” One social media user wrote, “No one should ever experience something so terrifying during a vacation.” Others, unfortunately, took a different approach, implying that she was partially responsible due to her attire or decision to participate in such a close-contact activity with a stranger. “What did you expect?” one commenter wrote. Another said, “If you wear a bikini and strap yourself to a strange man, this is bound to happen.”

However, some users were quick to call out these attitudes as victim-blaming. One person replied, “This is exactly why some men think it’s okay to violate women—because people defend them or turn it into a joke. Her clothing doesn’t give anyone permission to touch her.”

Others mocked the situation, bringing up unrelated pop culture references like Coldplay’s music, showing how quickly the seriousness of the story was derailed in some corners of the internet. Still, Wilson remains adamant: “This wasn’t flirtation or teasing. This was a sexual assault.”

According to The Sun, Wilson believes the instructor may have since been arrested. She’s received assistance from her travel insurance company and the UK Foreign Office. The trip, which cost her around £6,000 (roughly $8,000), was booked through easyJet Holidays. In response, a spokesperson for the airline said, “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is a top priority, and we are continuing to support Ms. Wilson. We’re also working closely with our hotel partner to investigate the incident.”

Cases of sexual assault while traveling are more common than people might think, though many go unreported. A 2024 study by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland revealed that approximately 7% of reported sexual violence cases involved incidents that occurred during international travel. The majority of these assaults were carried out by strangers or newly acquainted individuals, often in indoor settings. More than half of the incidents happened in European countries, though North Africa was also cited.

The UK government urges anyone who experiences sexual assault while abroad to seek help and remember that the assault is never their fault. Their travel advisory page states: “Rape and sexual assault are always wrong—no matter who commits them or where it happens. These acts can be traumatic and affect you emotionally and physically. Do not hesitate to seek help.”

Rape Crisis England & Wales also advises victims to get to a safe location if possible and, when not in immediate danger or requiring urgent medical care, to contact the nearest British embassy or consulate. Support services are available for those who need assistance dealing with the aftermath of such traumatic events.

Michelle Wilson’s story is a stark reminder that safety during travel can never be taken for granted. Even in moments meant to bring joy and adventure, things can go wrong. For now, she’s speaking out to ensure others are aware of the risks—and perhaps to encourage other survivors to come forward and seek justice.