**Child Migrants Reported Victims of Sexual Assaults Amid Surge in Ceuta**
In the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, a troubling situation has emerged as at least four girls under the age of 14 have been treated for alleged sexual assaults. This alarming development follows a significant influx of migrants that has overwhelmed local reception facilities, leaving many minors without shelter and exposed to potential dangers.
The reported victims are primarily Moroccan minors who entered Ceuta during a surge of migration that began in late July. Medical officials have indicated that a boy may also be among the victims, and there are concerns that the actual number of cases could be higher, as many incidents may go unreported. So far, more than a dozen patients with injuries consistent with sexual assault have been treated at Ceuta University Hospital.
Dr. Susana Ascaso, an accident and emergency doctor at the hospital, confirmed that her department has seen multiple suspected rape cases involving underage migrants. She noted that many of these girls are forced to live on the streets due to a lack of available space in reception centers. "It is not that they do not want to take them in, there is simply no room for them," Ascaso stated, describing the situation as a "health catastrophe." She expressed concern that overwhelmed emergency services are struggling to screen new arrivals for diseases, further complicating the crisis.
Local police are currently investigating at least five alleged rapes of minors. The authorities have not disclosed details regarding the circumstances of these alleged attacks, and no arrests have been made as of yet. The lack of adequate facilities and support for these vulnerable migrants has raised alarms among various organizations, including the UK-based non-profit Save the Children. The organization has warned that migrant girls and adolescents are at an increased risk of trafficking and sexual exploitation due to significant gaps in identification, accommodation, and protection.
In response to the growing number of migrant girls, Abdellah Mustafa, head of the Sidi Embarek district Residents’ Association, reported that locals have converted a futsal court into a makeshift refuge for these minors. Initially, around 50 girls arrived on the first day, with that number escalating to 200 within just two days, overwhelming the facility. Mustafa noted that some girls arrive in a state of shock, presumably after experiencing assaults, prompting residents to bring in a psychologist and lawyer to provide assistance.
The migrant influx into Ceuta has been unprecedented, with over 72,000 individuals reportedly entering the exclave on July 30-31 alone. This figure represents approximately 70% of Ceuta's regular population. Many migrants attempted the crossing by swimming or navigating coastal breakwaters, resulting in at least 100 fatalities during the perilous journey. In response to the crisis, Madrid has deployed troops and expedited the return of migrants, although local officials estimate that between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals remain in Spanish territory.
The surge in migration coincided with a ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court, which determined that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla could not be immediately deported. Spanish officials have accused criminal trafficking networks of exploiting this ruling through misleading social media campaigns that falsely suggest the country's borders are open.
This crisis has intensified tensions within the European Union regarding migration policies. In recent weeks, 22 EU leaders signed a letter accusing Spain of undermining the bloc’s border security, with several countries calling for Spain to be removed from the Schengen borderless travel zone. In response, Italy implemented temporary checks on travelers arriving from Spain, while France tightened its border security. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticized these actions, labeling them as "selfish" and indicative of a lack of solidarity among EU member states.
As the situation in Ceuta continues to evolve, the plight of child migrants remains a pressing concern, calling for immediate attention and action from both local authorities and the international community to ensure their safety and well-being.