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 community programs and judicial reforms work together to support at-risk youth and prevent their recruitment into drug trafficking networks?
**Interview with Dr. Claire Lemaire, Sociologist Specializing in Urban Youth Crises**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Dr. Lemaire. Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent harrowing events from the Frais-Vallon district in Marseille. We’ve seen an alarming rise in youth involvement in drug-related crime, as highlighted by the case of two 16-year-olds who recently escaped from a drug trafficking network. Can you provide some context on this issue?
**Dr. Lemaire:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. The situation in Frais-Vallon is part of a broader trend we’ve been observing in urban areas across France, particularly in Marseille. With the city’s drug-related violence peaking in recent years—2023 being notably drastic with 47 deaths—a significant vulnerability has been placed on youth. Many young individuals are not only victims but are also coerced into participating in these illicit activities, leading to shocking cases like that of Younes and Kevin, who sought help in such a desperate manner.
**Interviewer:** The boys used a drug transaction to send an SOS note to potential clients. How does that reflect on the tactics employed by drug traffickers in these neighborhoods?
**Dr. Lemaire:** This incident underscores the extreme desperation that young people face in these environments. The use of a note during a transaction speaks volumes about their fear and the control exerted by traffickers. These networks often use manipulation and violence to recruit minors, leaving them trapped in a cycle of exploitation. The fact that they leaped from a building to escape captures the severity of their situation—a testament to how dire their circumstances truly were.
**Interviewer:** The court proceedings starting today against the alleged kidnappers and offenders bring to light the issue of juvenile delinquency and the role of gangs. What are your thoughts on how the judicial system can address these challenges?
**Dr. Lemaire:** The judicial system plays a critical role in addressing such issues. It’s imperative that they treat these minors not merely as criminals but as victims of a larger system of exploitation and violence. Sentencing must reflect an understanding of the socio-economic conditions that contribute to youth crime. Alongside legal action, we need comprehensive social interventions—education, mental health support, and community engagement programs—to prevent these situations from arising in the first place.
**Interviewer:** Moving forward, what measures do you believe need to be in place to protect vulnerable youth in urban areas like Marseille?
**Dr. Lemaire:** We need a multi-faceted approach. First, enhancing community resources, such as youth centers and mentorship programs, can provide safe havens for at-risk individuals. Second, stronger cooperation between law enforcement and social services is essential to recognize signs of trafficking and provide immediate support. Lastly, public awareness campaigns can help break the stigma around victims of gang violence, allowing for more community support and intervention.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Lemaire, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. It is clear that more needs to be done to protect our youth and prevent such tragic situations from occurring.
**Dr. Lemaire:** Thank you for shedding light on this important topic. It is crucial to continue this conversation and push for change in our communities.