In Morocco, a sad reality is emerging in disaster camps following the violent earthquake that hit the country in September 2023. Sexual predators are exploiting the vulnerability of child victims of the disaster, sparking indignation from authorities and organizations for the defense of children’s rights.
One of the most shocking cases is that of a twenty-year-old young man arrested in Er-Rachidia, who actively encouraged the sexual exploitation of affected children. But unfortunately this is not an isolated case. Other individuals offer minor children forced marriages or encourage them to become maids. This is real human trafficking, where children find themselves victims of double violence, that of the earthquake and that of sexual predators.
Faced with this situation, children’s defense associations are mobilizing to put an end to these unacceptable abuses. The NGO “Touche pas à mon enfant” has set up a social media monitoring unit to detect opportunists seeking to exploit affected children. The aim is to immediately report any malicious person and take them to court. Thanks to their public utility status in Morocco, the NGO intends to wage a fierce fight against sexual predators infiltrated in these networks.
The arrest of an individual is already a first step, but the government does not stop there. A toll-free number has been set up to report any cases of human trafficking. This responsiveness is welcomed by the NGO, but it is also essential that victims benefit from moral monitoring and support from the State. The objective is to help them overcome this tragedy and rebuild themselves.
To fight against this scourge, the public prosecutor has created an online reporting form and is calling on the population to be vigilant. It is crucial to report any suspicious behavior that could endanger the safety of affected children.
Morocco must face a distressing reality: the presence of sexual predators in disaster camps. This situation highlights the need to strengthen the prevention and repression of human trafficking. It is essential to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable and guarantee a better future for these children already severely affected by the earthquake. There is still a long way to go, but the mobilization of authorities and organizations defending children’s rights is an important step in the fight against this abuse.