A 23-year-old suspect has been detained by national police in connection with a sexual assault case involving an 18-year-old tourist. The incident reportedly occurred in Valencia, where the accused had been staying briefly. Initially, the two parties reportedly engaged in consensual intercourse after meeting on a dating app. At a later moment, the victim asked to stop, stating she did not want anything more, yet the man allegedly did not respect that boundary and proceeded to force himself, resulting in a sexual assault according to investigators and court records. [Citation: Valencia Police and Family and Women’s Care Unit UFAM]
The alleged rape is said to have taken place on the afternoon of August 29 at a residence in the city of Valencia. The victim filed a formal complaint with a local police station the following morning. Investigators from the Family and Women’s Care Unit subsequently identified the 23-year-old Bolivian national as the person responsible and arrested him during this week. The case has been pursued under standard procedure with careful adherence to the rights of both the accuser and the accused. [Citation: UFAM investigative records]
The timing and sequence of events, according to both the victim and the accused, show that a consensual encounter began after they connected on the dating app Tinder. Reportedly, the two remained together for sex without immediate issues. The turning point, as described in statements given to investigators, concerns what happened after intercourse was initiated and a condom was removed. The accused allegedly sought to continue sexual activity, a request the victim says she rejected, insisting she did not consent to further contact. The defendant’s account in court also reflected a denial of any coercive actions during the incident. [Citation: Court statements, UFAM inquiry notes]
Legal observers note that when a person withdraws consent and sexual activity continues, the act can amount to a crime against sexual freedom. The use of force in such a context may elevate the charge to sexual assault, potentially accompanied by aggravating factors depending on the circumstances presented in court. The arrest followed these lines of reasoning and the ongoing judicial review. [Citation: Valencia judicial records]
The individual in custody was placed at the disposal of Valencia Criminal Court No. 20. The judge heard testimony from both the accuser and the accused, with the court selecting a procedure that allows some evidence to be reviewed in advance, given the accused’s reported imminent departure from the country. The judge ordered a provisional release with a requirement to report periodically and not to leave the country, while the suspect’s passport was withheld. Because the complainant resides abroad, the court did not issue a restraining order against the victim. [Citation: Valencia Court orders, UFAM notes]