Makeshift camps in Ceuta to protect migrant women from sexual violence
In Ceuta, residents have set up encampments to shelter nearly 750 migrant women and young girls. Since the crisis began, 23 sexual assaults have been reported, including five rapes.
Neighbourhood volunteers face wave of sexual violence against migrants in Ceuta
According to RTBF Info, at the heart of the migration crisis that has overwhelmed Ceuta for the past month, residents have taken the initiative to organise two makeshift encampments to shelter hundreds of women and young girls who arrived by swimming from Morocco.
In the Príncipe Alfonso neighbourhood, a football pitch has been transformed into a shelter: the balls have given way to tents, blankets and clothes drying in the open air. A vacant plot adjoining the Sidi Embarek mosque hosts a second encampment. Both sites are reserved exclusively for women — men are not admitted.
Nearly 750 women and young girls sheltered
Uzman Bersabé, member and spokesperson for the Social and Associative Movement of Ceuta, coordinates the encampment set up near the mosque, which hosts nearly 400 women and young girls. "We took this initiative because, from the very first three days of this massive influx, we began to understand that women were coming to seek refuge with us because of a genuine wave of violence and sexual harassment. A situation we had never experienced before," he explains.
Ahmed Enfed-Dal, president of the Príncipe Alfonso association, manages the other encampment, located on a sports field next to Reina Sofía secondary school. It houses 350 young girls and 190 women. "We are simply a neighbourhood association, and we set up this encampment thinking it would last between three and five days, but it has now been nearly a month that we have been here," he says.
Since 31 August, only minors remain at this latter site. Adults — including pregnant women and mothers accompanied by young children — have been transferred to a reception centre set up by the authorities, financed from public funds, near La Hípica.
Difficult conditions, uncertain departures
Daily life in these encampments has been marked by numerous hardships. "There have been illnesses, fainting, stress, all sorts of things. Arguments between these women too. And our work here is to try to ensure they are well, that they get along with one another," recounts a neighbourhood volunteer. She notes that most of the women sheltered previously lived on the street.
Both plots must be cleared in the coming days. "This land belongs to residents. And the school year is approaching fast. The neighbourhood children must be able to play here," emphasises the same volunteer. The fate of the remaining minors remains uncertain: "Where will they put them? We don't know."
Women sheltered near the mosque are subject to an informal curfew at 21:00 when they are away. "Because the danger is still present. Everything we have done is get them off the street so they don't have to suffer violence. But if they stay on the street, that violence will continue," argues Uzman Bersabé.
23 assaults reported, including five rapes
The figures illustrate the scale of the problem. Since the start of the migration crisis in Ceuta, 23 sexual assaults committed against migrant women have been reported in the autonomous city. Nine of them involve minors aged 14 to 17. According to data from the state attorney general's office, updated as of 31 August, five of these cases are rapes. Of the eight identified suspected perpetrators, four are Moroccan, three are Spanish and one is Belgian. All victims are women, with the exception of one man from the LGBTQIA+ community.
Uzman Bersabé notes that three minor victims were taken directly to hospital upon arrival. "The victims arrived terrified. We notably took three of them immediately to hospital, where they received care. All three were minors."
In the encampment near Reina Sofía secondary school, two additional cases of sexual assault were also reported internally.
A call for specialised psychological support
A volunteer acknowledges the limits of associative action in the face of trauma of this nature. "We are doing what we can, but there would need to be more personalised support in this area, as this is a serious problem," she emphasises. The associations have received only limited support from local authorities and the Spanish government, which they accuse of inaction in the first days of the crisis.
Uzman Bersabé nonetheless draws a positive assessment of the citizen mobilisation: "Thanks to associations like ours and others, there were not many more assaults, because these young girls were living on the street. Just imagine what could have happened."
Source: RTBF Info