The MMA fighter who punched a man after she allegedly caught him performing a sex act in front of her says she is 'traumatised' by the incident.
The incident occurred as MMA fighter Joyce Vieira and a friend were taking photos on the Praia do Braga beach in the town of Cabo Frio in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro.
Vieira says the man began performing the sex act in front of her and her unnamed friend so she decided to take action.
In the footage, the fighter, dressed in a black swimsuit, can be seen punching the man, who is topless but dressed in swimming shorts.
A 26-year-old man was arrested for committing an “obscene act” but was later released after giving a statement and denying the accusation.
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The Civil Police reported the suspect claimed he was urinating on the beach before Vieira approached him.
Vieira insists he was performing a sex act and wants to see the man jailed to stop similar incidents happening.
When asked if she wants to see him in prison, Vieira said: “Yes, because he could be the same way he was with me with someone’s daughter or granddaughter. This could end up affecting a whole family because it is traumatising!
“It affected my life, more because I had that reaction, I didn’t put my head down and I faced up to him! For a whole week I slept and woke up with the scene in my head.”
"Until now I haven’t thought about what my reaction will be if I see him in the street.”
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Vieira spoke of her battles as a woman in combat sports, adding: "To be honest it’s very difficult because until today I have suffered a bit from looks from men looking down their noses at me in training because I’m a woman. But that’s just fuel for me and I want to stay and fight more and more every day for the love that fighting awoke in me.
“I’m a feminist and after all this, I’m going to embrace the cause with everything. It’s the first type of harassment like that which I have faced but I have to suffer sexism every day.”
The Inspector Specialised in Attending to Women in Cabo Frio, Juliana Rattes, said the case will be taken to the Public Ministry “who will act together with Special Criminal Court”.
