2023-09-01 08:07:40
More means against prostitution. As the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, the city of Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis) has announced that it will intensify its action in the fight against prostitution on the territory, in particular among minors.
The official communication indicates that the phenomenon of prostitution is “often aggravated in the context of major international sporting events. The city of the Stade de France and the future Olympic aquatic center therefore fears that the influx of visitors and supporters will cause demand to explode. “For a minor public, prostitution can be seen as an opportunity to earn easy money, including for young boys who would become pimps”, we explain to the city.
Saint-Denis therefore launched a two-step plan. The first phase of the operation, launched just before the summer, resulted in an awareness campaign which intends to mobilize all voluntary players. For the occasion, training was organized with professionals in the area to help them identify potential cases and direct people in danger to the appropriate structures. “We trained professionals from the local mission, youth leaders, including those who work in leisure workshops, because the average age of entry into prostitution is 13-14 years. »
Interventions in colleges and high schools
This training complements the work carried out in schools. “We are regularly challenged by poor establishments who turn to us. We make interventions in all colleges and high schools, because the National Education offers very few internal tools ”, we deplore on the side of the town hall of Saint-Denis.
In the second phase of the campaign, for the Rugby World Cup, the challenge will be to reach potential customers. “Beyond the public directly concerned by prevention, we also decided to carry out a general public campaign to raise awareness among all the protagonists. And particularly during the big meeting at Ovalie. “These people come to France without knowing what the local legislation is on the subject. It is important to also reach a foreign public. »
A resurgence contested by several studies
However, the resurgence of prostitution-related activities during major sporting events is contested by several studies. In 2010, as South Africa hosted the continent’s first soccer World Cup, authorities expected an increase in the activity of sex workers. However, the United Nations Population Fund published a study with a scathing conclusion: “There was no significant increase in the number of clients per prostitute during the World Cup period”.
“Opinions differ, recognizes the town hall of Saint-Denis, but the problem is that there are very few statistics. We are unable to say how many people prostitute themselves in the city. Our role is to protect young girls and ensure that they do not take this path. »
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