Prostitution of minors: 119 launches a new system

According to 2021 figures, 7,000 to 10,000 adolescents are affected by prostitution in France. As part of the government plan to combat this phenomenon, the public service for the protection of children in danger, the 119, has launched an unprecedented system Monday, April 3.

The listening number, which was only collecting worrying information before that day, will now follow up on the situation.

“

,” adds Pascal Vigneron, director of Snated-19 at Le

.

The listening platform, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, aims to support adults, minors but also professionals concerned by this phenomenon.

“

, continues Pascal Vigneron.

By contacting the listening number, the person will get in touch with socio-educational assistants who can help and guide them in several legal procedures in particular.

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To do this, the listening number trained its listeners and dedicated four people to this new expertise.

Their mission is also to assess the needs of callers, to listen attentively and fully understand requests, to provide them with psychological support and to provide regular updates on the progress of their situation.

The 119 works in close collaboration with the departmental services such as Childhood Social Assistance or the CRIPs, which are the cells for collecting worrying information.

In 2020, the Ministerial Statistical Service for Internal Security (SSMSI) identified 400 minor victims of pimping - compared to 206 in 2019, 116 in 2016. They are between 15 and 17 years old on average, come from all social backgrounds and struggle to become aware of their victim status.

In November 2021, the government presented an interministerial plan, endowed with 14 million euros, to fight against this scourge.