Spanish National Police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with an alleged sexual assault reported by an 18-year-old woman during a cruise sailing between Barcelona and Mallorca. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review.
The two young passengers met while socializing at the ship's nightclub, where they were part of a larger group of holidaymakers aged between 18 and 20. Investigators say the pair later went to the man's cabin, where they had sexual intercourse, reported the Spanish news outlet OKDIARIO.
The key issue in the case centers on consent. The woman told police the sexual encounter was not consensual, while the man has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the encounter was entirely voluntary.
Reports indicate that the following morning the woman discussed the incident with a friend, who reportedly advised her to seek emergency contraception after learning the encounter had been unprotected. The two then visited a pharmacy, where they were informed about the risks associated with unprotected sex, including pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
According to investigators, it was after that conversation that the woman decided to report the incident to the National Police, alleging she had been sexually assaulted. Officers subsequently initiated the standard investigative protocol for sexual assault cases.
Police later boarded the cruise ship and arrested the 18-year-old passenger as the suspected perpetrator. During questioning, the man again denied the allegations and stated that the sexual encounter had been consensual.
Authorities are now reviewing security camera footage from the vessel and interviewing witnesses, including friends who spent the evening with the two passengers. Investigators are also gathering forensic evidence and witness statements as part of the ongoing inquiry.
No court has ruled on the case, and Spanish authorities emphasized that the investigation remains in its early stages. The suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
