In Spain, Off-Duty Guardia Civil Officer Stopped Assault by Two Moroccan Men on Trans Woman on Commuter Train

A few days ago, on a Renfe Cercanías commuter train between Plaza Mayor and La Nogalera in Torremolinos (Málaga province), two men in their twenties of Moroccan origin insulted and harassed a 28-year-old trans woman who holds Moroccan citizenship; she was travelling with a friend. Around 5 p.m., verbal abuse escalated into an attempted physical assault. According to the police record, one remark was along the lines of, “If you were in Morocco, you would not dare go out on the street like that.” El Debate reported the incident.

An off-duty Guardia Civil officer was on board: he identified himself, stood between the aggressors and the victim, and kept the situation under control until reinforcements arrived.

National Police officers were present at La Nogalera station; a report was drawn up identifying those involved. As El Debate notes, citing Málaga Hoy, the provincial police press office said no arrests were made and the file was sent to the courts.

The women’s support team Equipo de Atención a la Mujer (EAM) contacted the victim promptly and offered psychological support. EAM representatives say the wording attributed to the alleged aggressors showed open hatred of the victim’s gender identity. A technical brief was sent to the specialised hate-crimes prosecution service; advocates believe the facts may meet the definition of a hate crime.

Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol is widely described as an important hub for LGBT visitors and the local community.