Man arrested for sexual assault on a peregrina in Nájera

[Bradypus]

A number of local websites have reported the arrest of a man for a sexual assault on a young German peregrina in Nájera.

Detenido un hombre en Nájera por agredir sexualmente y retener a una peregrina | La Rioja

Al acabar la etapa y no encontrar sitio para pernoctar en el albergue, el presunto agresor le ofreció su casa para descansar.

www.larioja.com

 

[henrythedog]

Mrs HtD reminds me on a daily basis that my perception of the world and some aspects of risk are innately different to that of a female, so I’ll confine myself to looking for a tiny silver lining in this reprehensible incident.

Thanks to the victim having the courage to file a report; that’s another one off the streets with any luck.

 

[KayfromUK]

Well done, this victim. She reported straight away and the perpetrator was arrested in a few hours. Also, well done, the police handled it very well. There have been cases that victims weren't taken seriously.
Everyone has to take risks sometimes and which risks to choose? Should I trust what the bar man say? you don't know him either. Should I trust the taxi driver? I am reluctant to take a taxi in unknown place at night.
I hope she hasn't been put off by it and can carry on Buen Camino.

 

[MAS5]

As a woman, I’m not understanding how giving future pilgrams ( whether male or female) safety advice is victim blaming. It is NEVER anyone’s fault if they are assaulted no matter the circumstances. Sexual assault is not about sex it about power. It perpetrated by both men and women who desire to overpower another’s will. That being said as a community we have a responsibility to advise our fellow pilgrims on the safest possible behaviors to minimize their risk at being taken advantage of whether sexually, emotionally or financially. Misplaced trust is just that misplaced. I hope this women reclaims her path and is able to find healing, solace and justice.

 

[Kathar1na]

I don’t plan to engage in the discussion about the replies in this thread although I largely share the opinion of some posters and made it clear by adding emojis. I was surprised to see the photos in this local news article. I then discovered that both text and photos are taken from a public communication on the website of the Guardia Civil themselves, i.e. a press release. My comment may not be helpful to anyone but I found this worth mentioning.

https://www.guardiacivil.es/es/prensa/noticias/8776.html

 

[David]

When will this sort of thing end?

 

[nycwalking]

Gosh!

Trust in others is so hard to find yet so easy to lose.

Bless this young woman on her path to trust again.

Buen camino her.

 

[J Willhaus]

Glad to see it in the news. It was on at least 2 news sites that I visited. I hope it will spread awareness that this is not to be tolerated.

 

[Dani7]

This woman showed immense courage and resilience to report this tragic and horrific assault. I wish her the same courage and resilience in the days ahead as she processes what happened to her.

 

[MinaKamina]

Perhaps reading the publication will help part of this discussion.

The German peregrina was lost and asked directions from a passer-by. He accompanied her for a short while and offered her a stay in his home.

Classic grooming IMO. Never underestimate that people outside the Camino bubble may have a completely different opinion of pilgrims and peregrinas.

 

[t2andreo]

I defer to your knowledge.

 

[t2andreo]

FWIW, after reading the comments following my post, I elected to DELETE my post. Enough said.

Best regards to all.

 

[Tony Lenton]

FWIW, after reading the comments following my post, I elected to DELETE my post. Enough said.

Best regards to all.

Well done Tom. I’m sure you meant no harm. Kindest regards to you, too.

 

[trecile]

FWIW, after reading the comments following my post, I elected to DELETE my post. Enough said.

Best regards to all.

I have deleted several posts that reference your now deleted post.

 

[t2andreo]

Sometimes, walking away from a disagreement is the best way to avoid unpleasantry. I was only trying to help, but I know that everyone has an opinion.

I decided, on balance, that discretion was the better part of arguing in this case.

Trecile - thanks for cleaning up the thread.

Tom

 

[pa’delante]

I was sexually assaulted at a fysio office while walking the camino portugués 1.5 years ago. I am continuing my legal case in hopes that this person doesn’t do it again. The trial is in Feb.

I learned a few months ago another peregrina fell victim- hopefully the legal system will help put a stop. My support to our fellow peregrina. I am here for her. Courage and Buen Camino.

 

[FourSeasons]

Brava peregrina for fighting and screaming and kicking and clawing your way out of a very nightmarish situation. And to immediately report such a heinous crime. You are very strong and brave, Well Done!! Too bad we have to think about these kinds of crimes happening against us on a regular basis. Always having to be very aware of our surroundings, looking over our shoulders. From the beginning of time here on earth, prey, we (women, men too, rarely, but sometimes) are prey.

When will this sort of thing end?

Never, it will never end. Still we have hope for a world without having to live with such precautions.

 

[Albertagirl]

I had to explain myself to the Guardia Civil recently when two of them came to the albergue where I was spending the night and inquired at length about an incident which had happened to me earlier in the day. I had been walking along what I thought was a pilgrim route (a walkable path a few metres from a nearby road). The path ended at a steep ditch. I did not want to retrace my route and chose to try to find a place to cross the water-filled ditch. This proved to be much more difficult than I had anticipated, as the opposite side of the ditch was steep and slippery to climb. Finally I crawled out of the ditch, totally soaked, and continued my walk along the road. Eventually, a driver stopped and offered to drive me to town, where he dropped me off at the albergue. Soon after, two members of the Guardia Civil appeared at my albergue and questioned me at length about what had happened. They never indicated what they had heard or why they held some suspicion about my situation. Eventually, they gave up and left. I have never asked for a ride, except in taxis, but I consider that my situation warranted accepting the kindness of a stranger.

 

[SantiagoCruzB]

I had to explain myself to the Guardia Civil recently when two of them came to the albergue where I was spending the night and inquired at length about an incident which had happened to me earlier in the day. I had been walking along what I thought was a pilgrim route (a walkable path a few metres from a nearby road). The path ended at a steep ditch. I did not want to retrace my route and chose to try to find a place to cross the water-filled ditch. This proved to be much more difficult than I had anticipated, as the opposite side of the ditch was steep and slippery to climb. Finally I crawled out of the ditch, totally soaked, and continued my walk along the road. Eventually, a driver stopped and offered to drive me to town, where he dropped me off at the albergue. Soon after, two members of the Guardia Civil appeared at my albergue and questioned me at length about what had happened. They never indicated what they had heard or why they held some suspicion about my situation. Eventually, they gave up and left. I have never asked for a ride, except in taxis, but I consider that my situation warranted accepting the kindness of a stranger.

This is speculative but the driver himself may have reported you to the Guardia Civil (GC) considering your condition when he picked you up. He may have thought something worse happened to you and was concerned.
In our recent Camino on the CF, we were always happy whenever we saw a GC car parked at the trailhead even very early in the morning when it was still dark, cold, and rainy. This happened numerous times. I think it shows how seriously they take care of security for the peregrinos. Buen Camino!

 

[C clearly]

They never indicated what they had heard or why they held some suspicion about my situation.

As @SantiagoCruzB suggests, I expect they were more concerned about your welfare than they were suspicious of you.

 

[OdysseusSympath]

A number of local websites have reported the arrest of a man for a sexual assault on a young German peregrina in Nájera.

Detenido un hombre en Nájera por agredir sexualmente y retener a una peregrina | La Rioja

Al acabar la etapa y no encontrar sitio para pernoctar en el albergue, el presunto agresor le ofreció su casa para descansar.

www.larioja.com