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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How can communities effectively support at-risk youth to prevent them from being drawn into drug dealing and organized crime?
**Interview with Dr. Marie Lemoine, Sociologist and Youth Violence Expert**
**Interviewer (I):** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lemoine. Can you provide context for the disturbing situation that has recently come to light in the Frais-Vallon district of Marseille?
**Dr. Lemoine (D):** Thank you for having me. The Frais-Vallon district has unfortunately become emblematic of the challenges faced by marginalized youth in urban areas. The case of two sixteen-year-olds who were coerced into drug dealing highlights a troubling trend: young people being forced into the criminal underworld through violence and manipulation.
**I:** It’s alarming that these young dealers managed to send an SOS note to seek help. How does this reflect their circumstances?
**D:** It’s a tragic illustration of their desperation and vulnerability. These young individuals felt they had no other way to escape their dire situation. Writing a note and leaving it with clients demonstrates a compulsion to seek help, even in a system that often feels overwhelming and isolating.
**I:** We’re seeing the courts now involved, with several young adults accused of serious crimes against these minors. What implications does this have for the community?
**D:** The legal proceedings can bring some measure of accountability, but they also underscore a systemic issue. This is not merely an isolated event; it speaks to deeper societal problems, including poverty, lack of opportunities, and the influence of organized crime on youth. The community needs extensive support systems to address these root causes effectively.
**I:** What measures can be taken to help prevent such situations in the future?
**D:** Comprehensive prevention strategies are essential. This includes increasing educational opportunities, providing mental health support, and creating safe spaces where youth can engage in constructive activities. Community policing that builds trust can also mitigate the allure of gangs and drug networks.
**I:** As this case unfolds, what are the next steps you believe the community and authorities should take?
**D:** Authorities must prioritize the welfare of all youths, particularly those affected by violence. It’s imperative to invest in programs that support at-risk youth and to ensure that the judicial outcomes focus not just on punishment, but also on rehabilitation and reintegration for those involved. More broadly, a concerted effort to tackle the drug problem and support families in impoverished areas is crucial.
**I:** Thank you, Dr. Lemoine, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that a multifaceted approach will be needed to address the challenges facing youth in Marseille’s neighborhoods.
**D:** Thank you for shedding light on this important matter. Working together, we can hope to create a safer future for our youth.
