• A British mother was sexually assaulted by a parasail instructor during a holiday in Tunisia.
• She reported the incident immediately; the alleged attacker has been arrested.
• EasyJet and local authorities are supporting the victim and investigating the case.

A family vacation meant to bring joy and relaxation quickly spiraled into a traumatic ordeal for a 52-year-old British mother. She claims a man sexually assaulted her while she parasailed over the picturesque Tunisian coast. What should have been a thrilling adventure in the skies above Sousse turned into a deeply unsettling experience that left her shaken, scared, and struggling to come to terms with the assault.

The woman, who hails from Merseyside, had planned the parasailing trip as a fun outing with a friend during their easyJet package holiday. The family had spent thousands on the trip—around £6,000—expecting to unwind and create happy memories. But her story reveals a darker side of what should have been a carefree break abroad.

A Dream Activity Turns Into a Nightmare

Originally, the pair had booked a tandem parasailing flight to share the excitement together. However, the staff at the water sports centre told them that the wind was too strong for the two to go up at once. Instead, the women were told each would fly separately, each paired with an instructor. The friend went first and, by all accounts, had a perfectly safe and enjoyable flight, spotted from the shore as she floated comfortably above the waves.

The mother, watching her friend from the beach, noticed her companion was far enough from the instructor to feel at ease. But when her own turn came, the situation quickly took a terrifying turn. High in the air, strapped tightly to her male instructor, she began to feel something was wrong.

“I could feel the back of my bikini bottoms being pulled,” she told The Sun. “He was pulling the strap. It must have been to tighten the harness and get me closer.” What followed was an ordeal she describes as deeply violating.

“He had his legs straddled around me. One hand was gripping the parachute, but the other wasn’t,” she said. “Then I felt him touching my leg. He was groping me, moving back and forth against me, talking to me in Arabic. I kept arching my back, trying to get away, but I felt him pressing into me.”

Feeling Helpless, Hanging in Midair

The mother recalls the horror of feeling trapped and powerless. ‘It was horrible. I was terrified, hanging there in the air, completely helpless,’ she said. What made the ordeal even worse was that her attacker—a young man, likely no older than 20—was the same person she had to trust for safety in the sky.

She said the assault left her feeling “violated, dirty, and scared,” emotions no one should face while on holiday. Upon landing, she immediately broke down in tears, overwhelmed by what had happened.

Determined not to stay silent, the woman reported the incident straight away to the manager of the water sports centre and later went to the local police.

Vacation Cut Short, A Family Shattered

The trauma of the assault overshadowed the rest of the holiday, spoiling what should have been quality time with her children. The mother, who is divorced, revealed she could no longer enjoy the trip or relax in the wake of the incident.

She acknowledged that sometimes, in foreign countries, women might expect harmless banter or teasing from local men. But she was clear in drawing the line: “This wasn’t banter. This was sexual assault.”

The case has since taken a legal turn, with the alleged perpetrator arrested by Tunisian authorities. Meanwhile, the victim has been receiving support from her insurance provider and the British Foreign Office, which is assisting her during this difficult time.

Public Outcry and Questions Over Tourist Safety

This disturbing incident has ignited strong reactions online and in the media, highlighting serious concerns about the safety of tourists, particularly women, when engaging in adventure activities abroad. Many have expressed outrage, sympathy, and frustration that what should be fun and safe can turn into a nightmare.

Travel experts and safety advocates are now calling for stricter regulations and better vetting of operators who offer such activities. Parasailing, while thrilling, places tourists at the mercy of their instructors—people they must trust implicitly. When that trust is broken, the consequences can be devastating.

Social media platforms are flooded with messages of support for the victim, alongside urgent calls for travel companies and resorts to enforce zero tolerance for harassment and assault. Some travellers have shared their own disturbing experiences, exposing a wider problem that often goes unreported.

EasyJet and Resort Under Pressure

In response to the incident, easyJet released a statement reaffirming their commitment to passenger safety and wellbeing. “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is a priority, and we are continuing to support the woman involved,” the airline said. They also stated they are working closely with their hotel partner to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Despite this reassurance, critics argue that travel companies must do more to protect holidaymakers, especially those partaking in physical activities under the supervision of local operators.

A Warning for Travellers and Families

This heartbreaking story serves as a stark reminder for anyone planning adventure holidays abroad to exercise caution. While most experiences are positive, the risk of encountering inappropriate behaviour or worse exists. Women travelling alone or with friends should remain vigilant, ask detailed questions about the qualifications and reputation of activity providers, and ensure they have a clear line of communication with local authorities and their embassy.

For families, this incident also raises the difficult question of how to keep children safe during active holidays. Parents must weigh the desire for excitement with the need for security and peace of mind.