Spain's Ministry of Youth and Childhood is planning to relocate approximately 500 migrant girls from the North African enclave of Ceuta to the mainland for their safety. The decision comes after Spanish police reported 15 sexual assaults since July 15, with many of the victims being minors and assaults occurring on beaches where migrants had gathered.
This move represents a significant policy shift for the Spanish government, which had initially stated that no undocumented migrants would be allowed to enter mainland Spain. The plan has drawn criticism from some political parties, including the far-right Vox party, which claims the relocation could encourage further migrant arrivals. Other politicians and Moroccan officials have argued for the return of the girls to Morocco or their home countries.
Ceuta experienced a significant influx of migrants from Morocco last month, with an estimated 72,000 individuals crossing the border. While Spanish authorities have stated that most have since returned to Morocco, between 5,000 and 8,000 people remain in Ceuta, including around 2,000 registered minors.
Migrant women and girls in Ceuta have been living in precarious conditions, often sleeping outdoors without adequate facilities. Wafae Atid, a migrant from Morocco, described the nightly fear of assault, stating, "A lot of guys are trying to attack the girls every night, sometimes just when you go to the toilet. They follow you."
Court authorities in Ceuta confirmed they are processing three cases of sexual assault involving migrant women, allegedly committed by male migrants who arrived during the recent influx. Two of these cases involve minor victims. In one instance, a minor allegedly faced sexual assault and was forced into drug dealing. In another, indecent assault was reported. The accused men in these cases are in custody pending trial. A third case involved an adult woman reporting indecent assault, and the judge ordered the alleged assailant's deportation. Another man has been ordered deported for breaking into a local woman's home.
According to Interior Ministry figures for 2024, Ceuta recorded 42 sexual assaults and five rapes. Health Minister Monica Garcia confirmed that medical services have treated five women for sexual violence, emphasizing that providing shelter is a primary healthcare concern. Elma Saiz, Minister of Migration and Social Security, stated that authorities and the Red Cross are distributing meals and hygiene kits, and establishing temporary reception centers.
Human rights organizations, including Save the Children, UNICEF, and Amnesty International, have highlighted the extreme vulnerability of migrant women and girls in Ceuta and called for immediate measures, such as safe housing and specialized support. They noted that overcrowding in displacement sites can lead to situations of sexual violence and recommended gender-segregated facilities and safety protocols similar to those in refugee camps.