A 52 year old British woman got more than she bargained for during her recent parasailing experience in Tunisia.
Michelle Wilson claims the parasailing instructor touched her inappropriately while flying with her over the open seas.
Some netizens are horrified at the experience.
Michelle Wilson claims the parasailing instructor strapped behind her acted improperly
Two people parasailing mid-air with a colorful parachute against a clear sky, highlighting parasailing assault risk.
- A woman from England recalls her horrific experience with a parasailing instructor in Tunisia.
- Michelle Wilson says the instructor was strapped behind her while they were flying.
- Netizens have mixed feelings about what happened from victim shaming to humor.
Trigger warning: This article contains details that may be distressing to some
As first reported in The Sun , Michelle Wilson said she felt s*xually assaulted when the instructor, who was supposed to be keeping her safe, pressed his body into hers making her feel the exact opposite.
The paper says it happened on the beaches of Sousse, Tunisia when Wilson was vacationing with her three children, a 17 year old daughter, 16 year old twin boys, and her daughter’s friend, also 17.
Middle-aged woman with arms crossed, looking serious while sharing her experience of mid-air assault parasailing.
Wilson said she had originally planned to do the parasailing experience with a friend, but on that day, the operator told her it was too windy. They would each need to go strapped to an experienced parasailer
She said her friend went up first “and had a great time, with no problems”.
Then, it was Michelle’s turn. What happened next, she said, ruined her vacation.
Wilson says the parasailer straddled his legs around her while they were in the air
Red flag with white crescent and star symbol fluttering against a cloudy sky, representing mid-air parasailing scene.
As they lifted-off into the skies above the beach, Wilson said the parasail operator then began to press himself against her.
“I could feel the back of my bikini bottoms being pulled, and he was pulling the strap,” The Sun reported. “He must have been tightening the harness to get me closer.
Parasailing with a red parachute against clear sky, illustrating mid-air assault during parasailing incident.
Wilson said that the instructor’s “legs straddled around me, he had one hand up on the parachute, the other wasn’t. Then I felt him touch my leg .”
Recalling the incident in horror, she told The Sun : “He was groping me and moving back and forth into me and talking to me in Arabic,” Wilson said.
“What did you expect?”: Netizens react to Michelle Wilson’s parasailing experience
Two people parasailing mid-air above a beach with others watching, highlighting mid-air assault safety concerns.
The whole inappropriate touching thing has left some netizens with a bad taste in their mouths.
“No one should ever experience something so traumatic—especially during what should’ve been a thrilling moment,” said one sympathetic netizen.
Conversely, other people said she should have known better, saying things like “what did you expect”, or inferring that she asked for it: “So you wear a bathing suit or bikini and strapped to a strange man and expect to be respected,” someone wrote.
And no comment section would be complete this summer with mention of Coldplaygate: “I heard they were listening to Coldplay. ”
“This wasn’t banter”: Wilson is unequivocal about what she experienced
52-year-old mom shares her story of mid-air assault while parasailing, highlighting fear and violation experienced.
Tweet discussing trauma and helplessness experienced by a 52-year-old mom during mid-air parasailing assault.
Tweet from Vegas Sports Picks about a tough situation involving mid-air assault while parasailing incident.
The act of parasailing would be terrifying enough, Wilson said, but in her case, it was extra scary.
“I felt him pressing against me. I kept arching my back. I felt violated and dirty and was scared. “
Wilson noted that the operator was very young: “He was only a young lad, maybe around 20,” she told The Sun.
When she was back on terra firma, Wilson said, she couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“She burst into tears when she landed and complained to the water sports centre’s manager, then to the local police ,” The Su n reported.
“As women you expect a bit of banter from men in these countries, but this wasn’t banter, it was a s*xual assault,” The Sun quoted her as saying.
Authorities may have already taken action against the parasailing operator
Parasailing over the ocean with two people harnessed mid-air, illustrating a mid-air assault incident keyword.
According to the original article from The Sun, Wilson did get a bit of closure on the matter.
“She believes her attacker has since been arrested, and her insurance firm and the Foreign Office are assisting in the case,” the article reports.
Wilson reportedly spent £6,000 (roughly $8,000) on the trip, which was booked as an easyJet package holiday .
In a statement the airlines told The Sun: “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.”
British authorities recommend victims contact embassies or consulates to report assaults while on holiday
Woman preparing for parasailing on a sunny beach with others nearby, highlighting mid-air assault concerns during parasailing activity.
Instances of s*xual assault while traveling do happen. The frequency of which, unfortunately, are underreported.
A study conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland from February of this year found that 7 percent of people who report their alleged sxual violence (SV) to the country’s Sxual Assault Treatment Unit said that they had been assaulted while on an international vacation.
“The majority of these incidents were disclosed as being perpetrated by a stranger or recent acquaintance, in an indoor setting with over half having occurred in Europe,” their study said.
<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-41.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=““I Felt Violated And Dirty, And Was Scared”: 52YO Mom Exposes Mid-Air Assault While Parasailing - 11”>
As for what one should do if they are the victim of inappropriate touching or groping while traveling internationally, the U.K. government ’s travel website advises people to: “Remember that it was not your fault. Rpe and sxual assault is always wrong – no matter who commits it or where it happens. It is traumatic and it can affect you both physically and emotionally. Do not be afraid to get help.”
Meanwhile, according to the website R*pe Crisis England & Wales, it’s important to get somewhere safe.
The site advises victims who are “ Not in danger or in need of urgent medical attention,” to consider contacting the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate for support.
Online, Michelle Wilson’s story has been making waves
Comment from William Brian expressing horror and calling for justice after mid-air parasailing assault on 52YO mom.
Screenshot of a social media comment expressing disgust about a mid-air assault incident while parasailing.
52-year-old mom sharing her experience of mid-air assault while parasailing, feeling scared and violated.
Comment by Rhonda Ryan describing a similar mid-air assault incident experienced by her daughter while parasailing in Bali.
Comment from Jen Fokkens sharing a personal experience related to mid-air assault while parasailing, expressing belief and support.
Comment by Chally Chalice on social media expressing support for justice for mid-air parasailing assault victim.
Screenshot of social media comment by Gina Zangari about an incident on the beach, related to mid-air parasailing assault.
Comment from Ricky Ricardo explaining pain relief by squeezing a cramp, with top fan badge and 41 reactions.
Comment by Mandy Long about hand turning into a nutcracker, highlighting reactions with likes and emojis.
Facebook comment by Delia Jaipersad saying Two words… The Bear with 42 reactions including likes and laughing emojis.
Facebook comment by Marce Ruiz E. Gutierrez saying she would prefer the bear 10000 times, related to mid-air assault while parasailing discussion.
Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a mid-air assault incident involving a 52-year-old mom parasailing.
Text message conversation with Kit Fisto discussing a setup that looks like a SA in a casual tone.
Comment from user Kan Man discussing the need for a female operator for women passengers during parasailing.
Thanks! Check out the results:
Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!
Follow Bored Panda on Google News!
Unlock an Enhanced Experience with Bored Panda Premium
Go ad-free, access unlimited content, and enjoy our sleek dark mode. Your favorite stories, uninterrupted.
No fees, cancel anytime
Olympian Makes Stunning Admission After Judge’s Conspicuous Scores Ignite Cheating Accusations
