The Provincial Prosecutor of Madrid has requested an eighteen-month prison sentence for a man accused of sexually assaulting Isabel Balado, a journalist for Cuatro who was reporting live for the programme En boca de todos when her assailant deliberately touched her buttocks without consent. The incident occurred during a live connection, making the events public immediately and supported by video documentation.
In addition to the custodial penalty, the Public Prosecutor’s Office asks that the accused be forbidden from communicating with the victim by any means and be prohibited from approaching within 500 meters of her person, her home, her workplace or study location, and any other places Balado frequents.
Regarding civil liability for the moral damages caused by these events, the Prosecutor also seeks compensation of 1,000 euros. At present, no date has been set for the hearing of the case.
The Allegation
The indictment states that at approximately 12:30 p.m. on 12 September 2023, Balado was in a central Madrid street, working as a reporter for En boca de todos alongside the cameraman who operated the equipment. At that moment, while preparing the live link, the defendant approached, greeted the journalist with a handshake, commented, Vaya culo tienes, and briefly withdrew.
Moments later, while Balado and her colleague were already broadcasting live for the programme, the defendant approached from behind with the intention of satisfying his sexual desires without Balado’s consent, extended his hand, and touched her buttocks before positioning himself to her left and asking, What channel are you from?
The survivor, stunned by the incident, told the Prosecutor that she was in the middle of a live broadcast. Balado, visibly nervous, attempted to continue with her work and address the camera, but the programme host, the presenter Isa Balado, asked whether the offender had touched her. She confirmed the touch, and the attacker remained nearby, creating a coercive atmosphere that weighed on her as she spoke.
Even so, Balado decided to confront the aggressor directly, asking, If you want to know what channel we are from, do you really have to touch my bottom? I am doing a live and I am working. The accused replied, I did not touch your bottom, did I, or did I not?
Balado affirmed that it happened, and the accused asked for forgiveness while extending his hand. He then said, Honestly, I would like you to let me work. Before leaving, the assailant touched her hair and departed from the scene.
Moments later, as the victim, still anxious about what had happened, attempted to resume her reporting and interview the owner of a local establishment, the defendant reappeared, apologizing and laughing, which forced Balado to interrupt the live recording she was conducting.