Youth Exploitation: A Growing Crisis in Belgium and Beyond
Table of Contents
- Youth Exploitation: A Growing Crisis in Belgium and Beyond
- The Alarming Rise of Minor Involvement in criminal activities
- Two Distinct Groups: Local and Foreign Minors
- The Lure of Criminal Organizations: A “Social Function”?
- the role of Social Media and Encrypted Communication
- A Pan-European Problem: Statistics and Trends
- Addressing the Crisis: Support and Reintegration
The Alarming Rise of Minor Involvement in criminal activities
Across Europe, a disturbing trend is emerging: the increasing exploitation of minors in criminal enterprises, notably in drug trafficking. Belgium, like many other nations, is grappling with this complex issue, facing challenges in protecting vulnerable youth from falling prey to organized crime.
Two Distinct Groups: Local and Foreign Minors
According to Éric Garbar, head of the center of expertise on human trafficking for the Belgian federal judicial police, there are two primary categories of young people being exploited. The first group consists of local minors from Brussels neighborhoods, ofen characterized as idle and out of school, making them susceptible to recruitment by criminal groups. The second, unaccompanied foreign minors (MENA)
, are recruited from their countries of origin, including Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Afghanistan.
“We actually have two categories of young people. We have minors who are from neighborhoods here in Brussels… It is young people who are idle, out of school are recovered by criminal groups. Besides that, we also have unaccompanied foreign minors (MENA) which are recruited from the countries of origins.”
Éric Garbar, RTBF
Criminal organizations frequently enough provide a semblance of support to these vulnerable youth. Garbar explains that in Brussels neighborhoods, minors are gradually integrated into criminal networks, receiving accommodation, food, and small amounts of money. This seemingly benevolent approach serves as an initiation into drug trafficking, with criminal groups effectively fulfilling a distorted “social function” by providing for the basic needs of these young individuals.
Modern technology plays a critically important role in the recruitment and control of these minors. Social networks like YouTube,Telegram,Signal,and WhatsApp are used to disseminate recruitment messages and coordinate activities. Encrypted messaging applications offer a secure means of communication for recruiters, while videos and geolocation tracking enable them to maintain constant surveillance over their young recruits.
“Social networks are used to recruit them whether in Belgium or abroad… It is also a good way to control them by exchanges of videos, geolocation. This allows those who exploit them to have control over them.”
Éric Garbar
A Pan-European Problem: Statistics and Trends
Belgium is not alone in facing this challenge. A recent Europol report indicates that minors are involved in over 70% of criminal activities,including drug trafficking,across Europe. The ease with which minors can be released after arrest,due to their age,makes them a readily reusable asset for criminal organizations. This revolving door dynamic further exacerbates the problem, hindering law enforcement efforts.
Addressing the Crisis: Support and Reintegration
While some minors receive institutional support aimed at social reintegration, unaccompanied foreign minors often lack adequate resources and face a precarious existence. The Samu Social in Brussels is preparing to open a dedicated center to address this gap,offering hope for improved support and protection for these vulnerable individuals. Though, more comprehensive and coordinated efforts are needed to effectively combat the exploitation of minors and provide them with pathways to a better future.
