On the morning of October 15, 2025, a nearly empty commuter train just outside Paris became the scene of a harrowing attack that has since reverberated across France and beyond. Jhordana Dias, a 26-year-old Brazilian woman, was traveling alone between the Choisy-le-Roi and Villeneuve-le-Roi stations when a man boarded the train as the doors were closing. What followed has reignited a national debate over women’s safety on public transport—a conversation that, according to recent government statistics, has only grown more urgent as reports of sexual violence on transit have soared by 86% since 2016, as reported by the Associated Press and BBC News.
The attacker, later identified as a 26-year-old Egyptian national, allegedly assaulted Dias by slapping, biting, choking, and scratching her, pulling down her trousers, and attempting to kiss and rape her while she screamed for help. According to Le Parisien, Dias recounted, “When the doors dinged to close, the attacker jumped on the train, and then I realised I was alone with him. And that's when the attacks began. He pulled down my trousers, choked me, and tried to kiss me by force. I didn't want to kiss him.”
The chilling ordeal might have escalated further if not for the quick-thinking intervention of another passenger. Marguerite, as she is known in French media, heard Dias’s cries from a nearby carriage. She rushed in, confronted the attacker, and began filming the incident on her mobile phone—providing crucial evidence and ultimately prompting the assailant to flee the train at a later station. The footage, which shows Dias’s distress and the man’s attempt to confront Marguerite, quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage and a renewed call for action to address the safety of women on France’s public transportation network.
Police launched an investigation, analyzing surveillance footage, gathering witness statements, and tracing phone data. Their efforts led to the arrest of the suspect on Friday evening, October 24, in the town of Mantes-la-Jolie, northwest of Paris. The man, who had no identity documents on him, told authorities he was a 26-year-old Egyptian national. He was taken into custody and remains there as the investigation continues, according to the Créteil prosecutor’s office.
Prosecutors revealed that, while the suspect admitted to an altercation with Dias, he denied any attempted rape or sexual assault. “While the man acknowledged recognizing himself in the video footage and admitted to having had an altercation with the victim, he denied any attempted rape or sexual assault,” the prosecutor's office stated, as reported by CBS News and the Associated Press. The suspect has no prior record with the French justice system. He is expected to appear before the Créteil prosecutor on Monday, October 27, where preliminary charges of attempted rape may be filed, and pre-trial detention has been requested.
For Dias, the trauma of the attack was compounded by her recent history. She had arrived in France just two months earlier, fleeing Brazil in hopes of escaping alleged domestic abuse from a former partner. Her brother, Cicero Junior, told CNN Brasil, “She left Brazil for peace and she didn't have peace here. It's been very difficult for us, for everyone, for the family, because we want justice.” Dias had traveled to Paris to attend her brother’s wedding and hoped to start a new chapter in her life. Instead, she found herself at the center of a national reckoning over women’s safety.
Shocking photos circulated in French and international media showed Dias with cuts and bruises to her face. She was examined by a forensic doctor, who prescribed five days of sick leave, and her brother ensured her injuries were documented by a physician before they could heal. A forensic exam was scheduled for October 29. Dias’s brother also accompanied her to the Choisy-le-Roi police station to help file a report, acting as her translator and support.
The viral video of the attack, and the subsequent outpouring of support for Dias, has encouraged other women to come forward. According to Le Parisien, two additional women have reported being attacked by the same man, raising further questions about the effectiveness of existing safety measures and the challenges facing law enforcement in preventing repeat offenses on public transport.
The Brazilian government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has offered consular support to Dias and to other Brazilian citizens living in France. The ministry stated it “remains available to offer consular support to Brazilian citizens living in France.”
The incident has not only provoked outrage but has also reignited longstanding debates about public safety, policing, and the adequacy of support for victims of gender-based violence. French officials and advocacy groups point to a troubling trend: reported sexual violence on public transport has risen sharply in recent years. According to a recent government report cited by the Associated Press and CBS News, the number of victims has increased by 86% since 2016. This statistic underscores a wider sense of vulnerability among women who rely on trains, buses, and subways for their daily commutes.
Many in France are now calling for systemic changes. Some advocate for increased police presence on trains and in stations, improved surveillance technology, and more robust legal protections for victims. Others emphasize the importance of public awareness campaigns and education aimed at changing societal attitudes toward harassment and assault. Critics of the current approach argue that, despite high-profile cases and viral videos, too little has changed on the ground for women who experience violence and intimidation while simply trying to go about their lives.
As the suspect awaits his court appearance and the investigation continues, the case of Jhordana Dias serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing women in public spaces—not only in France but around the world. The courage of Dias in reporting her attack, the intervention of Marguerite, and the solidarity shown by other victims have all contributed to a growing movement demanding accountability, justice, and real change. Whether this incident will prove to be a turning point remains to be seen, but for now, it has cast a harsh light on the realities of sexual violence and the urgent need for action.
For Dias and her family, the hope is that justice will be served and that her story will help ensure greater safety for others in the future.
