Days before Paris is scheduled to host the Olympic Games, there are reports that a 25-year-old Australian lady was raped by five men in the city.
French police are looking into these claims.
“Likely to have been committed on the night of July 19 to 20, 2024,” is the charge of gang rape, which the Paris prosecutor’s office acknowledged was under investigation.
On Monday, French media started reporting on the alleged attack that occurred early on Saturday morning in the well-known Montmartre party district of the French capital.
In addition to confirming that “a young, distressed-looking Australian woman, 25-years-old, fled into a kebab shop at around 5am” on Boulevard de Clichy, the police union spokeswoman claimed to be the source of those claims.
The woman did not speak French, according to the police union spokeswoman, and she did not give much information about the incident’s date and location.
According to a spokesman for the police union, the woman informed detectives she had been raped by five males.
The spokeswoman for the police union added that first responders had brought the woman to a nearby hospital.
Team Australia chef de mission Anna Meares responded, “Our hearts go out to the woman involved and we hope she’s being cared for and supported in the trauma that she’s experienced,” when asked about the reported attack.
“There’s not a lot of detail and information that’s come through, and what information we’re passing onto our athletes is that the security presence is really, really high in order for them to be able to act as quickly as possible and keep them safe,” Meares said.
“We are encouraging them, if they go out of the Village, not to go out on their own, not to wear team uniform, just to wear plain clothes, and we’re just waiting on further information on the actual case itself.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Australia is prepared to help, according to a spokeswoman.
“The Australian embassy in Paris is making urgent enquiries with French authorities following reports of an Australian citizen assaulted in Paris,” stated a spokesperson.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance.”
Police vessel on a river As athletes and spectators from all around the world converge on Paris for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there has been an alleged attack.
Prior to the inauguration ceremony on Friday, the first activities start on Wednesday.
The leader of the Paris Olympics declared last year that the French capital will be “the safest place in the world” during the international competition.
Large portions of Paris are under lockdown as part of a massive security operation, and armed police squadrons are cruising the streets.
To address potential security threats, up to 45,000 police officers and a detachment of 10,000 soldiers are stationed.
