Child prostitution continues to rise in France, with 704 victims identified by law enforcement in 2025. This figure represents a 43% increase in four years, according to data from the National Observatory of Violence Against Women. Specifically, 416 girls were identified as victims of pimping and 288 as victims of forced prostitution. Almost all of the victims are female minors, illustrating a persistent and alarming vulnerability.
Authorities highlight a transformation in exploitation methods, particularly through social media and online platforms. By 2025, a large majority of young victims were connected with clients through digital tools such as Snapchat or specialized websites. This evolution complicates the detection of at-risk situations and fosters more diffuse and less visible forms of prostitution.
Enhanced victim identification
The increase in figures is also partly explained by improved identification and support work carried out by associations and government services. Better reception of victims thus allows for more effective reporting of cases. At the same time, the number of adults identified as being involved in prostitution has decreased, while convictions for pimping-related offenses have increased in recent years.
Despite this observation, the number of fines issued to clients remains relatively low, with just over 1,400 tickets issued in 2025, and significant disparities across different regions. In total, approximately 40,000 people are currently involved in prostitution in France, a phenomenon that continues to evolve and require the attention of public authorities.
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