فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
As the local community in Aïn Chkef reacts to the recent news of the rape of a minor schoolgirl, and as unspoken testimonies about repeated harassment and luring attempts around educational institutions continue to surface, a deeper issue emerges: the exploitation of minors in a context of social fragility and the absence of familial and educational awareness.
A source from the area told Fes News that young men—some of whom have criminal records—take advantage of the simplicity of rural girls, their vulnerability, and sometimes their desire to escape poverty. These men lure the girls with false promises of marriage or financial support, using psychological tactics involving emotional manipulation, coercion, and pressure.
One observer noted that most of these cases never make it to court due to the silence of families—either out of fear of “scandal” or due to a deep-rooted belief that “the victim will be blamed no matter what.” This silence, the observer added, perpetuates the cycle of exploitation and fuels the phenomenon of “silent seduction,” which may begin through social media or school surroundings and end in assault, escape, or devastating social fallout.
In the absence of effective preventive roles by educational or family institutions, and with limited access to psychological and educational support, minor girls become easy prey for those skilled in exploiting their vulnerability.
According to Moroccan criminal law, luring a minor is a serious offense, especially when it leads to sexual assault or morally inappropriate actions. Yet the real issue lies not only in criminalizing these acts but in dismantling the psychological and social tactics used to gain access to minor schoolgirls.
Civil society actors are urgently calling for awareness campaigns in rural schools—targeting students, educators, and families alike—in an effort to build a protective intellectual and behavioral wall against this growing phenomenon. Some activists are even advocating for a declaration of an “educational emergency” in rural communities.
Source: Fes News Media
