Spanish prosecutors have reported that 23 sexual assaults, nine of which involved children, have occurred in Ceuta since a significant number of migrants entered the Spanish exclave from Morocco at the end of July. This rate equates to nearly one assault per day, stated Ceuta's chief prosecutor, Silvia Rojas.
Rojas indicated that migrant girls are particularly vulnerable due to their uncertain legal status within the territory. Approximately 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30 and 31. While most have since returned, an estimated 5,000 remain, contributing to unrest in the North African autonomous city and presenting a challenge for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The situation has led to recent incidents of violence, fueled by tensions between migrants and local residents. Sánchez convened a second national security meeting within a week to address the ongoing issue. Among the estimated 5,000 migrants still in Ceuta, between 1,400 and 1,600 are children, according to Rojas.
Authorities have identified several individuals as suspected attackers, including four Moroccans, three Spaniards, and one Belgian national. Rojas noted that many victims do not file official reports, either out of fear or due to their precarious situation in Ceuta.
The Spanish Society of Epidemiology has cautioned that violence against women in this context should not be viewed as an isolated occurrence. The Spanish cabinet has approved a multi-million euro aid package aimed at providing essential services and care for unaccompanied children. The conservative mayor of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, has called for public demonstrations of support across mainland Spain.
The Spanish government faces criticism from opposition parties regarding its management of the crisis. The far-right Vox party has accused Prime Minister Sánchez of losing control of Ceuta. Arantxa Campos, president of the Ceuta Employers' Confederation, expressed concerns about the lack of a clear government plan to manage the situation with the remaining migrants.