Woman to receive medal after scaring off suspected attacker on French train
The incident happened on an RER in the Paris suburbs this month
President of the Île-de-France region, Valérie Pécresse, shared the medal announcement on social media
Antonin Albert/Shutterstock
A woman who confronted a suspected attacker on a French train is to receive a medal for her bravery.
The incident happened on October 16, aboard the RER C between stations Choisy-le-Roi and Villeneuve-le-Roi in the Paris suburbs.
The witness, named Marguerite, heard screams coming from a neighbouring carriage and intervened by filming the suspected attacker on her mobile phone.
In the video footage, the suspect can be seen backing away from the scene before getting off the train and fleeing along the station platform.
Marguerite’s quick reaction enabled the police to identify the suspect - a man who was taken into custody on October 24 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 26-year-old Brazilian woman, reported FranceInfo.
Awarded the Île-de-France medal
The president of the Île-de-France region, Valérie Pécresse, shared details on social media of the commendation:
“Well done and huge respect to Marguerite for her bravery! The region will award her the Île-de-France medal. If you witness or are the victim of an assault, call 3117 or send an SMS to 31177 for rapid intervention by the security forces”
Further information regarding this regional medal or details surrounding when it will be awarded is limited.
The Île-de-France website suggests that these medals were presented to Olympic and Paralympic athletes from the region as a symbol of congratulations following the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games. The medals were awarded during a ceremony at the château de Versailles in September last year.
Increasing crime rates on public transport
Crime on public transport is particularly prevalent in the Île-de-France region, explains a report by le Centre de Réflexion sur la Sécurité Intérieure.
According to government statistics on internal security published in September 2025, a total of 1,486 victims of sexual assault on public transport were recorded in 2024, up 62% from 2016, with the Île-de-France region accounting for 43% of victims of sexual assault on public transport in France.
Figures also reveal that women account for 91% of victims of sexual assault in the region, with 53% of victims aged between 18 and 29 years old.
In February, the French government announced efforts to crack down on public disorder and make travelling on public transport safer.
Proposals included increasing the severity of punishments for those who repeatedly break the rules and giving more ‘power’ to security agents in stations.
