2024-11-25 09:01:00
The Frais-Vallon district, in Marseille, in January 2024. VALLAURI NICOLAS/MAXPPP
With the drugs that they gave to their clients during the transactions, the two young dealers slipped in an SOS, a small note scribbled: “Hello, we are sequestered by the network. Please call the police. He forces us to sell for free and beats us with bars. Please we need help (we are 15 years old). » Despite these discreet calls for help, it was not a consumer who rescued them from the clutches of the Frais-Vallon network, but the firefighters, after they had jumped from the second floor of a tower to escape to their captors.
The Bouches-du-Rhône Assize Court will judge, from Monday, November 25, six young people from Marseille for the kidnapping and violence inflicted over several days on two 16-year-old teenagers, forcibly recruited to sell drugs. Three of the accused – they are all in their twenties – also answer for rape of one of the two victims.
Both runaways, Younes and Kevin – the first names have been changed – showed up on January 21, 2022 in Frais-Vallon, a city in the northern districts of Marseille, to sell drugs. A member of the network promises them remuneration of 100 euros per day and accommodation in “a hotel with a jacuzzi”. At the end of the session, the tone changes suddenly, the two teenagers are accused of a 500 euro hole in the accounts, the first blows rain down on the deal point, at the foot of the “red tower”. In a room where they are taken, “from three, they went to a good ten and they played with us”Younes said. “We were pissing blood”reported Kevin, forced to get naked and dance in front of phones filming him for social networks.
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An anonymous tip to the police indicated that the two young boys had been forced to perform oral sex on each other, which they disputed. “I would have gone for revenge if that had been it. Now, I don’t even want revenge. The blows go away. We were the ones who made idiots of going to work in their neighborhood”explained Younes. The teenager will no longer respond to any summons from investigators or the investigating judge. He had not looked his torturers in the eyes so as not to be able to identify them. A year after the events, Younes’ father requested the withdrawal of his son’s complaint “for fear of being found and attacked again”.
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What are the primary social and economic factors that contribute to youth violence and drug trafficking in urban areas like the Frais-Vallon district of Marseille?
**Interview with Dr. Elodie Fontaine, Sociologist Specializing in Urban Youth Violence**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Dr. Fontaine. Thank you for joining us to discuss the alarming situation in the Frais-Vallon district of Marseille, particularly regarding the recent case of two young teenagers, Younes and Kevin, who were forcibly recruited into drug dealing. Can you provide some context about what might lead to such tragic scenarios for young people in this area?
**Dr. Fontaine:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. The Frais-Vallon district, like many urban areas in Marseille, grapples with systemic issues such as unemployment, lack of educational opportunities, and socioeconomic marginalization. These conditions create a fertile ground for drug trafficking networks to exploit vulnerable youths. Many youngsters, feeling trapped by their circumstances, may see no alternative to getting involved in illegal activities, which promise quick financial gains but come at a perilous cost.
**Interviewer:** It’s heartbreaking to hear about these young boys needing to send out a desperate SOS note during their forced labor. How common is it for youths to find themselves in such situations?
**Dr. Fontaine:** Unfortunately, it is not uncommon. Many young individuals are coerced or groomed into drug trafficking. The networks often predate on their naivety, using manipulation or threats. In this case, the fact that they slipped a note during a transaction underscores not only the severity of their situation but also their desperation for help. The lack of immediate support from the community or law enforcement exacerbates these circumstances, leading to a cycle of violence and exploitation.
**Interviewer:** The ongoing trial of the six accused individuals highlights a severe dimension of youth violence, including accusations of kidnapping and assault. What implications does this have for the community’s safety and the justice system?
**Dr. Fontaine:** The trial is crucial as it brings attention to the violent dynamics within drug networks and the dire consequences for those ensnared by them. It also presents an opportunity for the justice system to address not only the crimes committed but also the broader social issues at play. For communities like Frais-Vallon, systemic change is essential, including better educational programs and youth interventions. Unless these root causes are addressed, the cycle of violence will likely continue.
**Interviewer:** Given the complexity of these issues, what steps can be taken to provide better support for young people in vulnerable situations?
**Dr. Fontaine:** Multi-faceted solutions are necessary. First, we need to enhance community programs that provide youth with education, job training, and mentorship—opportunities that can divert them from engaging with drug networks. Additionally, increasing community-police relations can build trust, ensuring that young people feel safe to seek help. Lastly, preventive measures should be a priority; we must tackle the underlying social and economic disparities that fuel these problems in the first place.
**Interviewer:** Thank you very much, Dr. Fontaine. Your insights shed light on this complicated issue, and it’s clear that a community-wide approach is vital to safeguarding the future of vulnerable youths in Marseille.
**Dr. Fontaine:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic. It’s crucial that we raise awareness and advocate for comprehensive changes to protect our youth.
