Woman in France attacked for "wearing a skirt"

The French police opened an urgent investigation after a young woman was attacked by 3 men, who publicly beat her, for wearing a skirt that was "inappropriate" from the assailants' viewpoint.

The government condemned the "extremely serious" incident and described it as unacceptable, noting that it coincides with growing anger in France about physical and verbal abuse in public places, to which women are exposed because of their dress.

The 22-year-old student, who was known only by her first name, Elizabeth, said that she was punched in the face in the eastern city of Strasbourg, in an attack "by 3 individuals who objected to my wearing the skirt."

Elizabeth explained to "France Blue Alsace" radio that she was on her way home when one of the three shouted, "Look at that whore in a skirt," before two caught her, while the third hit her in the face, before the attackers fled.

And confirmed that there were more than 10 witnesses at the scene of the accident, but no one interfered or pursued the attackers, according to what was quoted by the "Guardian" newspaper.

A picture of Elizabeth's bruised face was posted on Twitter, and it quickly spread, amid the anger of social media users.

Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said, "The facts, as I mentioned, are very serious..in France we must be able to go out into the street wearing whatever we want. We cannot accept that women today in our country feel in danger, either with harassment, threats or beating because of The way to wear it. "