Moroccan child protection organization Don’t Touch My Child, also known as Touche Pas à Mon Enfant, has called for thorough judicial investigations into allegations of sexual assault involving underage Moroccan girls following mass crossings into the Spanish-occupied city of Ceuta on July 30 and 31.
In a statement Monday, the organization said the allegations should be taken seriously and investigated urgently, calling for anyone found responsible to be held accountable.
The group said its concerns extend beyond the dangers minors face during the crossing and include the risks they may encounter after arriving in Ceuta.
It warned that unaccompanied or unprotected minors could be exposed to violence, exploitation, human trafficking, extortion and sexual abuse.
The organization also called for medical examinations and psychological and social support for minors suspected of being victims of violence or exploitation.
Five alleged rape cases
Spanish newspaper El País reported that the National Police’s Family and Women’s Unit is investigating five alleged rape cases involving Moroccan girls.
The newspaper also reported other allegations of sexual assault in different parts of Ceuta, citing testimonies from girls and local residents. The reports have raised concerns about the safety of minors spending nights on the streets or in isolated areas.
One case involved an alleged attempted sexual assault against a 12-year-old Moroccan girl. A local woman told El País that she intervened after hearing the girl screaming at night.
The newspaper also reported that two other teenage girls said they were targeted in an attempted sexual assault by a group of men.
Don’t Touch My Child urged the public not to circulate unverified figures regarding the number of alleged victims. It also called for all minors in Ceuta to be registered and for their legal and social circumstances to be assessed.
The organization called for safe and appropriate accommodation for underage girls and unaccompanied children, stressing the need for institutional protection to prevent further exposure to violence and exploitation.
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