Prostitution of minors: the underside of the shocking documentary of "Zone Interdite"

One testimony, then two.

And the click.

The feeling of having put your finger on something that is beyond us.

This is how Clarisse Verrier began to take an interest in the growing and yet little-known phenomenon of underage prostitution.

From her investigation of nearly two years, she drew a punchy documentary, broadcast this Sunday evening, in "Zone Interdite" on M 6 at 9:05 pm.

In France, between 8,000 and 10,000 children, the vast majority of them girls, could be concerned, coming from all social backgrounds.

In Paris alone, there were 70 trials in 2018, 7 times more than in 2013. “We are touching on what is darker in our society and of which young people are paying the price,” notes the director. .

A phenomenon with blurred outlines, favored by the attraction for easy money, the sirens of reality TV, and the omnipresence of social networks.

"The offer of advertisements is bloated there, and nothing is easier than to lie about his age, denounces the journalist.

There is general hypocrisy, except that the violence is very real.

"

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The richness of this very detailed investigation is the multitude of testimonies.

Associations, lawyers, magistrates but also and above all, mothers and victims.

They are 14, 15 or 16 years old.

Sometimes less.

And have lived, or still live, a hell.

"What was essential was to give them the floor to themselves," insists the reporter.

To try to figure out what was going on in their heads.

"

"I hope that the film will make it possible to denounce this world"

To give them confidence, Clarisse Verrier took the time to listen to these young girls.

At length.

On the phone, by written messages, some of which are transcribed in the documentary.

"I wanted to show the questions, the flashbacks, to show that it is a gear from which it is difficult to get out," she says.

Some say they are going to stop, and the next day, they run away again.

"

She found them in cafes, in the street.

Waited for them sometimes for hours.

Some times they never came.

She has seen victims accept and then refuse to speak.

Stella (the first name has been changed) was kind enough to appear in the documentary, on condition of anonymity.

Assists, she started at 13, before becoming a reel herself at 15.

His testimony is edifying.

"I hope that the film will denounce this world," confides by telephone the one who is 19 years old today and has since found a job in a town hall.

Me, I got screwed.

So if my testimony can serve as a trigger for others, so much the better!

"

PODCAST.

Prostitution of minors in Ile-de-France: why justice is outdated

The attraction of easy money is what grabbed her from the start.

Like many victims.

“At this age, we take things lightly, we want to know everything, try everything.

Do like the grown-ups, the life of an artist, what!

», Explains the young woman, who confides in the film to have cashed up to 2,600 euros in one day.

With this money, she buys handbags and designer clothes.

And even a car, at 14.

Weed dealers turned girl dealers

“What is paradoxical is that these girls often speak about emancipation.

They want to shine, say

.

But yet they go towards the worst violence, ”analyzes the director.

A vagueness that complicates the work of justice.

"It is necessarily unsettling to have in front of you someone who says that she is not against the fact of prostitution, who defends her network," she continues.

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And that's one of the other surprises in the film.

The profile of these pimps, often men, sometimes women, sometimes barely older than the victims.

“Shit dealers who have become dealers for girls,” the journalist observed.

It does not require any initial investment, it pays off and in addition, the girls often protect them!

»The prostitution of minors has been banned in France since 2002. Offenders risk a 3-year prison sentence and a fine of 45,000 euros.

Extracts of the film should be shown during the first meeting of the multidisciplinary working group devoted to this subject, Wednesday, September 30, launched by the Secretary of State for Children and Families Adrien Taquet.

EDITOR'S RATING: 5/5

“At 15, my daughter prostitutes herself”

, by Clarisse Verrier (95 minutes).

“Prohibited zone”, presented by Ophélie Meunier, Sunday at 9:05 pm on M 6.