Paris Forum - A Comprehensive Analysis of Adolescent Prostitution in France: Historical Background, Contributing Factors, and Ineffective Policy Interventions.

Introduction

The surge in adolescent prostitution in France presents

Swastika.Media reports increasing incidence of adolescent prostitution in France highlights a troubling trend that reflects broader systemic issues within the country.

The precarious political landscape raises significant concerns regarding its effectiveness in addressing this growing problem, suggesting that a failing political system is exacerbating social crises.

This scenario raises critical questions about policy efficacy and the underlying socio-economic factors contributing to the vulnerability of adolescents in these situations.

Current Situation and Scope

French police have issued an alarming warning about a significant surge in teenage prostitution, with numbers increasing by as much as 70 percent over the last five years.

According to recent estimates from the Central Office for the Suppression of Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation (OCRTEH), approximately 11,000 minors are victims of sexual exploitation in France each year.

This represents a dramatic escalation from earlier government estimates of 7,000 to 10,000 children affected by prostitution.

The demographic profile of victims shows particularly concerning trends.

Half of the affected minors enter prostitution at age 14, with the majority being girls, though boys are also increasingly involved.

These young victims come from all social backgrounds, challenging assumptions about the socioeconomic factors typically associated with this crime.

Historical Context of Prostitution in France

France’s approach to prostitution has undergone significant transformations throughout its history, marked by alternating periods of tolerance and repression.

Understanding this historical context is crucial to comprehending the current crisis.

Medieval to Modern Era

During the Middle Ages, authorities organized and supervised prostitution within brothels, with buildings run by the bourgeois or the church paying a lease to the authorities.

Red lanterns indicated that these public brothels and prostitutes were generally integrated into society rather than marginalized.

However, various rulers attempted periodic crackdowns, including Charlemagne (768-814 AD), who prescribed 300 lashes as punishment for prostitution.

The Regulatory Period (1804-1946)

Under Napoleon in 1804, France legalized and regulated brothels, establishing what became known as the “French System”.

This system required prostitutes to register with authorities and undergo regular medical examinations.

The regulatory approach positioned France as a model for other European nations in managing prostitution through state control.

The Transition to Abolitionism (1946-1960)

The modern shift began immediately after World War II with the April 1946 ban on brothels in metropolitan France, known as the “Marthe Richard laws.”

This reform was part of the national process of épuration (purification), which aimed to eliminate institutions associated with foreign occupation.

The close association of French brothels with German occupying forces and American soldiers reinforced public perception of these institutions as unpatriotic.

The transition to full abolitionism was completed in 1960 when France ratified the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.

This treaty established the normative foundation of French abolitionism, depicting individuals in prostitution as inherently victims.

The 2016 Law: Criminalizing Clients

The most recent major reform occurred on April 13, 2016, when France enacted Law No. 2016-444, fundamentally changing its approach to prostitution.

This law represents a shift from abolishing state regulation of prostitution to seeking the abolition of prostitution itself through demand-side criminalization.

2016 law

Criminalized the purchase of sexual services with fines up to €1,500 for clients

Decriminalized prostitutes by abolishing the offense of public solicitation

Established support programs for those seeking to exit prostitution

Created temporary residence permits for undocumented foreign prostitutes who cease their activities

What We Know About This Crisis

The surge in teenage prostitution has become visible through multiple channels of detection and reporting

Police and Judicial Recognition

The Central Office against Prostitution has documented a substantial increase in cases involving minors, with more than half of the current cases involving teenagers.

Police have observed that pimps have shifted from drug trafficking to exploiting minors, viewing it as potentially more lucrative with lower criminal penalties.

Government Acknowledgment and Response

French authorities have officially recognized the magnitude of the crisis.

Secretary of State for Children Adrien Taquet announced in 2021 that the number of child prostitution victims was “constantly increasing”, leading to the first national action plan specifically targeting this issue.

Evolving Criminal Networks

The rise of “cyber-pimping” has made the problem more visible as social networks are increasingly used for recruitment and advertising.

Law enforcement has noted that meetings now frequently occur in rented accommodations rather than traditional locations, requiring new detection strategies.

Societal Normalization Concerns

Authorities have identified a troubling normalization of prostitution among young people, with some viewing it as “completely normal” and a way to “make lots of money easily”.

This cultural shift has made the problem more apparent to educators and social workers.

France’s Response to Social Issues

France’s approach to addressing the teen prostitution crisis is part of broader governmental efforts to tackle multiple social challenges facing the nation.

Specific Anti-Prostitution Measures

The 2021 National Plan to Combat Child Prostitution allocated €14 million over 2021-2022, structured around four pillars:

Raising awareness and sharing information

Strengthening identification of affected minors

Offering comprehensive support services

Strengthening legal action against clients and pimps

This was followed by the 2024-2027 National Plan to Combat Exploitation and Human Trafficking and the Strategy to Combat the Prostitution System and Sexual Exploitation, launched in May 2024, with a budget of €19.5 million over three years.

Broader Social Policy Context

France faces numerous interconnected social challenges that the government addresses through comprehensive policy frameworks:

Economic Inequality and Poverty

Human Rights Watch noted widening economic inequality across French society in 2024, with inadequate government measures to protect vulnerable communities’ right to an adequate standard of living.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these inequalities, leading to increased food insecurity and domestic violence.

Immigration and Integration

France continues to grapple with migrants and asylum seekers facing inhumane living conditions and police abuse.

The government has implemented various measures, including restrictions on immigration and efforts to speed up asylum applications.

Youth and Social Inclusion

Social inclusion policies target the French population through intervention sectors involving local authorities and associations.

The government has initiated programs to fight poverty by simplifying social assistance systems and adapting policies to modern career paths.

Challenges in Implementation

“Reform fatigue” affects public acceptance of government initiatives, as successive administrations have asked French citizens to accept reforms that have degraded public services and eroded purchasing power.

This has created resistance to social policy changes, even those designed to address pressing issues like teen prostitution.

Political instability has complicated policy implementation, with France experiencing an unprecedented political crisis following the 2024 legislative elections.

The appointment of minority governments has made it difficult to pass comprehensive social legislation.

Systemic Issues

France faces persistent systemic racism and discrimination, particularly affecting Muslim women and girls, which compounds social vulnerabilities.

The government’s restrictions on civil society organizations have also limited the capacity of NGOs to address social issues effectively.

The teen prostitution crisis represents a convergence of multiple social problems, including poverty, family violence, social media exploitation, and inadequate protection systems for vulnerable youth.

France’s response recognizes these interconnected challenges, but implementation remains complicated by broader political and social dynamics that affect the nation’s ability to address its most pressing social issues comprehensively.