Attempted Rape in Rome's Villa Borghese. Taxi Driver Saves Student

On Monday evening, around 9:30 PM, a brutal assault took place against a 21-year-old British student in the famous Roman park Villa Borghese. The woman, who had been in Rome for five months for study purposes, was walking along viale Washington when she was attacked by an unknown man. According to the victim's account, the assailant first followed her, then pulled her by the hood and pushed her behind a dense hedge into a darker part of the park. Villa Borghese, a historic city park covering approximately 80 hectares, has for centuries been a place of rest for elites and has been open to the public since the early 20th century. This area, like many other large parks in European metropolises, can be a place where social problems such as homelessness or drug trafficking intersect with tourist and recreational life. The man tried to rape her, beating and scratching her. At the critical moment, a taxi appeared on the road. Seeing the vehicle's headlights, the attacker panicked and fled in an unknown direction. The taxi driver immediately assisted the terrified and injured woman and called the Carabinieri from the Flaminia station. The victim was taken to Policlinico hospital, where she received necessary medical assistance. As she reported to journalists, during the attack she was convinced she would not survive. „Ho pensato fosse finita. Ma lui, quando ha visto i fari del taxi, è corso via.” (I thought it was over. But he, when he saw the taxi's headlights, ran away.) — Anne The Carabinieri are conducting an intensive investigation into this case. Based on the victim's description, they are searching for a man with a dark complexion and a beard. One of the first reports from the ANSA agency, citing the woman's testimony, indicated that the attacker had "Asian features," which may suggest a different ethnic origin. This discrepancy in the description requires clarification by investigators. 21:30 — time of the assault in central Rome The incident provoked a sharp reaction from residents of the district. In the days following the event, local press, such as "Il Messaggero," reported growing dissatisfaction due to perceived degradation of the park. Residents complain about the presence of illegal encampments, littering of the area, and open drug dealing, especially around the nearby piazzale Flaminio. They are demanding that authorities increase the number of police patrols and restore order in this symbolic city location.partially true: The physical description of the perpetrator differs between sources: early ANSA reports mention "Asian features," while later accounts from interviews with the victim focus on "dark complexion and beard." This requires confirmation by the official investigation. (Various media reports) The case, due to the brutality of the act, the nationality of the victim, and the location in the very heart of the Italian capital, has resonated widely in the media. It highlights a broader problem of safety in urban parks, which at night, despite their popularity, can become dangerous. Chronology of Events: February 23, 21:30 — Assault in Villa Borghese; February 23, approx. 21:45 — Taxi Driver's Intervention; February 24 — Investigation Begins; February 25 — Residents' Reaction