Rabat – Police in the Moroccan city of Errachidia arrested a 20-year-old university student today on suspicion of posting social media content that encouraged the sexual exploitation of underage girls affected by the recent earthquake.
The vigilance unit within the Moroccan National Security had detected deeply concerning online content in which the suspect said he would travel to areas devastated by the earthquake with the disturbing intention of sexually assaulting young girls, SNRT News reported.
The revelation prompted an immediate investigation, which ultimately led to the identification and arrest of the suspect. He now faces judicial proceedings directed by the relevant public prosecutor’s office, with the aim of revealing the full extent of his plan and motives.
Meanwhile, ongoing technical and field investigations are underway to identify and apprehend anyone else involved in posting similar content that incites the exploitation of young girls affected by the earthquake.
The news of the young man’s arrest comes at a time when Moroccans have been increasingly vocal about their concerns regarding individuals making disturbing statements and expressing intentions to exploit vulnerable children, especially girls, in the disaster-affected regions.
Read also: UNICEF: Morocco Earthquake Has Affected 100,000 Children
Reports have flooded in about individuals, primarily adult men, making unsettling statements and taking actions that raise serious concerns about the welfare and safety of these already vulnerable children.
This includes a social media campaign urging Moroccan men to travel to those villages and marry young girls to “protect” them after they have lost their families and homes.
Shocking photographs circulated on social media showing grown men alongside underage girls, with claims that they have proposed marriage to these young children.
In response to this shocking trend, Moroccan activists and citizens alike have called on authorities to intervene and protect these children from potential human trafficking and exploitation.
In addition, Morocco has launched a “green number” that citizens can contact to report any cases of potential human trafficking.
