Child Prostitution: Bouches-du-Rhône & 2 Other Departments Under Scrutiny
Families File Complaint alleging French Departments Failed to Protect Children from Prostitution
Approximately 30 families in France, including those from the Bouches-du-rhône department, have filed a complaint against multiple departmental administrations, alleging a failure to protect their children from falling victim to prostitution rings. the families accuse elected officials of negligence in safeguarding vulnerable adolescents under their care.
Educator’s Stark Warning
Jennifer Abitbol, an educator specializing in youth judicial protection, paints a grim picture of the reality faced by placed adolescent girls. “In Marseille, there is not a home where I have not set foot, where there is no prostitution,” Abitbol stated, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem. She spoke to France Info about the struggles these children face daily.
At 10 p.m., they go out in thong, and customer cars parade.
Abitbol, a witness to the conditions within the homes meant to shelter these children, described the disturbing routine: “The kids from 10 p.m. are preparing, there are even some who come out in a thong. It’s filmed, there are cars that parade with their plates.” She claims her attempts to raise alarms about the system have been ignored. “I am told that girls, we cannot hold them back,” she said, lamenting the difficulty in protecting them from predatory pimps.
Legal Action Filed
Families in Bouches-du-Rhône,Essonne,and Yvelines have taken legal action,filing a complaint against the presidents of these departments for “lack of responsibility.” They argue that the departments failed to protect children placed under their care, as reported Wednesday, April 30.
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A Mother’s Anguish
In Bouches-du-Rhône, a mother identified as ”Lilas” (a pseudonym) is among the complainants. after reporting domestic violence in 2018, her two daughters, ages 8 and 10, were placed in care. Lilas recounted to France Info the harrowing experience of her eldest daughter, who ran away and was ensnared in a prostitution network at age 13. A disturbing WhatsApp message from her daughter in October 2022 revealed the horrors she endured:
We made him take cocaine,we forced her to make passes.
“Maman, I am in danger, do not call me or they will hit me,” Lilas’s daughter warned. She was later found kidnapped in an Airbnb in Toulon. “We forced her to take cocaine, to make passes,” the daughter reported.Lilas alerted the police, and her daughter was placed in emergency foster care. Lilas expressed her sorrow, stating, “My daughter is harmful, she prefers to be alone and she is dropping out, she has stressful attacks, it’s very hard.”
Lawyer Denounces “National Phenomenon”
Maître Michel Amas, a lawyer representing approximately 30 children, will argue the case before courts in Marseille, Versailles, and Evry. He described the situation as a “national phenomenon.”
The state has failed in child protection.
Amas stated, “We are launching the alert so that everyone knows that in France, at present, little boys and little girls prostitute themselves in very large numbers, in the total inaction of the presidents of the department.” He added, “The fact that there is no reaction, an association of the state response is what we denounce. We deliver children to dogs.”
Association Works to Combat Prostitution
The association “Le Nid” has been assisting victims of prostitution networks for nearly 80 years in cities like Marseille, Lyon, and Paris.They now have a dedicated service to combat the prostitution of minors.
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Members of the association patrol social networks to identify victims, who are often targeted by pimps and customers on these platforms. The association uses “digital marauding” to contact victims, encourage them to confide, report their situations to authorities, and guide them through legal action.
Profile of Victims
Philippe Andrès,director of the Hérault branch of the association,noted that the minors caught in these networks often share a similar profile: victims of intra-family or sexual violence,frequently recruited after being placed in care.He added that pimps are increasingly linked to drug trafficking, treating girls as commodities. This lucrative market can generate up to 15,000 euros per month per minor.
Lack of Official Data
Official figures on the prostitution of minors, especially those in care, are lacking.However,associations have observed a surge in the phenomenon in recent years,affecting increasingly younger girls. Dr. Aziz essadek, a psychologist, attempted to assess the situation in Essonne in 2023 on behalf of the ACPE association. Extrapolating his findings nationally, he estimates that 15,000 minors in childhood assistance centers could be involved in prostitution.
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Resources for Victims
A national telephone hotline has been established to assist victims, parents, and witnesses, offering a service dedicated to the prostitution of minors. The number is free and available 24/7. In the Bouches-du-Rhône, individuals can also contact the Departmental Cell for the Collection of Worrying Information at 04 13 31 13 31.
Here’s a Q&A style guide to cover the details in the article, aiming for SEO optimization, clarity, and readability:
Child Prostitution in France: A Comprehensive Guide
This guide provides information about the alarming rise of child prostitution in France, according to the news article provided. It addresses the key issues, legal actions, and resources available.
What is the central issue highlighted in the article?
The article highlights the issue of child prostitution in France, with specific focus on children in the care of the French government and the alleged failure of departmental administrations to protect these vulnerable individuals.
What are the key allegations against the French government?
Approximately 30 families have filed a complaint against multiple departmental administrations, accusing them of failing to protect children from prostitution rings. The families claim the departments have been negligent in safeguarding vulnerable adolescents under their care.
Where has this legal action been filed?
The legal action has been filed in the Bouches-du-Rhône, Essonne, and Yvelines departments.
What is the scale of this issue? Is it a national problem?
Yes,a lawyer representing approximately 30 children,Maître Michel Amas,described the situation as a “national phenomenon” during an argument.
What are the experiences of the children involved?
The article details the harrowing experiences of children, including the case of a mother, “Lilas,” whose daughters were placed in care after reporting domestic violence. Her eldest daughter was later ensnared in a prostitution network at age 13, and had to undergo horrible experiences.
What specific examples of abuse are mentioned?
“we made him take cocaine, we forced her to make passes.” This is just one example mentioned in the story.
What is the role of educators in this crisis?
Educators, specifically those specializing in youth judicial protection, are witnessing the situation firsthand. Jennifer Abitbol, an educator, described the pervasive nature of the problem, stating she sees it everywhere she operates and that the children are being prostituted.
What is the association “Le Nid” doing to combat child prostitution?
The association “Le Nid” has been assisting victims of prostitution for nearly 80 years. they have a dedicated service to combat the prostitution of minors. They use “digital marauding” (patrolling social networks) to identify victims, encourage them to confide, report their situations, and guide them through legal action.
What are the profiles of the victims?
Minors caught in these networks often share similar profiles:
Victims of intra-family or sexual violence.
Frequently recruited after being placed in care.
Increasingly younger girls are affected
What role does drug trafficking play?
Pimps are increasingly linked to drug trafficking, treating girls as commodities.
Why is there a lack of official data on child prostitution?
Official figures on the prostitution of minors, particularly those in care, are lacking. However, associations have observed a surge in the phenomenon in recent years.
What are the estimated numbers of minors involved in childhood prostitution?
based on extrapolation Dr. Aziz essadek, a psychologist estimates that 15,000 minors in childhood assistance centers could be involved in prostitution.
where can victims and witnesses find help?
national Hotline: A national telephone hotline has been established for victims,parents,and witnesses.It is a free service available 24/7 to assist individuals.
* Bouches-du-Rhône Department: Individuals in the Bouches-du-Rhône department can contact the Departmental Cell for the Collection of worrying Information at 04 13 31 13 31.
Is there an alleged lack of response from government officials?
Yes, the article points to a lack of reaction from the presidents of the departments, with lawyer Maître Michel Amas stating that the “association of the state response” is what they denounce.
Key Takeaways
The article highlights the serious problem of child prostitution in France, particularly among children under the care of the state. Families, educators, and associations are taking action to address the issue, but the lack of official data and alleged inaction by governmental bodies pose significant challenges. Below is a summary table:
| Aspect | Details |
| ———————– | —————————————————————————— |
| Central Issue | Child prostitution in France |
| Allegations | Failure of departmental administrations to protect children in care |
| Legal Action | Bouches-du-Rhône, Essonne, Yvelines |
| Scale | National Phenomenon |
| Victim Profile | Victims of violence, frequently enough recruited after being placed in care, increasingly young. |
| Association Efforts | “Le Nid” uses digital marauding, provides assistance to victims. |
| Resources | National hotline, Departmental Cell in Bouches-du-Rhône |