“He loves my body.” Between 7,000 and 20,000 children victims of prostitution in France, an association launches a European campaign

Every year in France, between 7,000 and 20,000 young people become prostitutes in France. The phenomenon, far from only taking place in large cities, has attracted the attention of an association in Pau, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, which is launching its European prevention campaign on November 1.

“He loves my body”, smiles the Audrey voice. Their names are Melissa, Lucie, Inès or Clara. These teenagers are between 13 and 17 years old and have already experienced prostitution. “We wanted to show how we fall into this hell without realizing it and that it is those very close to us who lead to insidious pimping: an uncle, a girlfriend, an older brother”, lists Olivier Pelure, director of the MJC de Fleurs, in Pau.

These six young women are the protagonists of mini-films from the Jericho campaign which will be broadcast on Instagram and TikTok from November 1. “The voices are not theirs but they are testimonies of young girls from Pau or Biarritz who told us their story”indicates Mathieu Decq, member of the Pistes solidaires association, at the initiative of the campaign.

In total, six mini-clips will be broadcast as well as podcasts around the notions of consent or romantic relationships, as well as numerous posts with useful links and advice for identifying young people concerned. “We cannot stand idly by. We must attract them to make them aware of this hell”indicates Mathieu Decq.

Few figures allow us to document this subject, “because no one wants to commit”. However, the estimates are frightening: in France alone, between 7,000 and 20,000 young people, aged 13 to 17, are victims of prostitution. A figure which has increased sevenfold (+ 682%) in six years, according to the OCRTEH (National Observatory of Crime and Penal Responses and the Fight against Human Trafficking). “The figures are staggering and yet we never hear that people have been convicted for these acts”regrets Mathieu Decq.

However, the practice has become easier since the emergence of social networks which allow pimps to contact victims more easily. “Contrary to popular belief, pimps are also relatively young, between 18 and 24 years old”specifies Julie Domenjou, graphic designer for the campaign.

The phenomenon does not only affect large cities. “No one is protected. This can happen anywhere, in Orthez, in Mauléon, in Pau”assures Mathieu Decq.

There is no small village that can say that “this doesn’t happen to us”.

Mathieu Decq

Association Pistes Solidaires

However, the pimping of minors is considered rape, particularly for children under 15, who have not reached sexual majority. Penalties can be up to seven years in prison and €100,000 in fines.

This campaign therefore targets, beyond the victims, their close entourage. “Everyone must have the reflexes to analyze the clusters of clues and lift the veil on this scourge which is becoming more and more accentuated”, explains Olivier Pellure.

Bright colors that fade, contrasts that catch the eye, were Julie Domenjou's methods for this campaign. “We also put some barriers in terms of modesty so as not to shock while maintaining impactful content”adds the graphic designer.

The Pistes Solidaires association aims to be the link between the local and the European level, for all questions surrounding youth. This campaign is the first of its kind. It will be broadcast throughout the month of November, in France, but also in Italy, Greece and has an English version. “This is the first time that a project like this has been proposed in Brussels. It intrigued and interested them and they quickly validated it and allowed the political and financial levers to be activated,” indicates Mathieu Decq.

Many influencers, notably Palois, have joined forces with the projects to distribute it on their accounts. “Social networks are the new hunting grounds of pimps and where young people go. We want to break these states of astonishment, dissociation, even trivialization of prostitution by certain young girls, making it more difficult to become aware of the seriousness of the situation.” assures Mathieu Decq. The campaign will be launched in different European countries simultaneously throughout the month of November.