Women and children face widespread abuse in Dunkirk refugee camp

TMP – 23/02/2017

A recent story in the UK newspaper The Observer (12 February) claims that minors and women are suffering widespread abuse at the hands of human traffickers inside the Dunkirk refugee camp in northern France.

Information provided by volunteers, medics, refugees and other officials has revealed that sexual abuse is rife within the camp and that children and women are being forced to have sex with traffickers in return for essential items like blankets or food or the offer of being smuggled to the UK.

The Dunkirk camps currently holds about 2,000 refugees, of whom around 100 are unaccompanied minors. The testimonies from interviewees describe extremely poor living conditions and a very unsafe environment where smugglers are in the highest position of power. Knives and guns are also reportedly carried and used in the camp.

One of the volunteer coordinators who works in the camp said: “Sexual assault, violence and rape are all far too common. Minors are assaulted and women are raped and forced to pay for smuggling with their bodies.”

The volunteer also recounted several incidents where minors had been attacked: “A 12-year-old girl was groomed in the camp by a man well over twice her age. When she no longer wanted to speak with him because his behavior towards her had become so obscene, he threatened her. A 13-year-old boy ended up returning to his home country having been raped in the camp.”