French Police Say 15-Year-Old Girl Was Sexually Exploited by Nearly 900 Clients in Four Months

French investigators say two suspects sexually exploited a 15-year-old girl in southeastern France over four months, using threats and violence to control her and taking the money paid by clients. Investigators estimate that nearly 900 clients paid a total of about €63,000 (US$71,000) between February and May 2026, according to ICI Provence.

Both suspects, one of whom is also a minor, have been charged with human trafficking and aggravated pimping involving a minor. The charges concern activity in five towns across the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments: Puget-sur-Argens, Draguignan, Toulon, Nice and Cannes.

The investigation began in May after the teenager's mother reported her missing to gendarmes in Puget-sur-Argens. Her mother feared the girl was being held against her will in Marseille, so gendarmes in the Var department asked police in the city for help.

Officers from Marseille's vice squad located the teenager a few days later. Their initial inquiries indicated she had been exploited by a network operating across the two departments. A police surveillance operation brought her to safety towards the end of May, ICI Provence reported.

Police Say Suspects Set Daily Financial Targets

Investigators in Draguignan say the suspects posted online adverts to attract clients and rented flats and hotel rooms for meetings. They say the suspects kept the girl under close watch to stop her from escaping and used threats and violence to enforce their control.

Police say the suspects set a daily financial target for the teenager and took all the money paid by clients. The €63,000 figure is the investigators' estimate of the proceeds over the four months.

Gendarmes arrested both suspects on 13 October after several months of investigation. They were taken into custody and brought before the public prosecutor in Draguignan on 15 October, when they were charged, according to ICI Provence.

The adult suspect was remanded in custody and is due to stand trial at Draguignan Criminal Court on 11 December, the prosecutor's office said. The younger suspect was placed under judicial supervision and is expected to stand trial separately at Draguignan Juvenile Court.

How Trafficking Can Affect Survivors' Health

Reaching safety can end a survivor's immediate exposure to violence and coercion, but the health effects can persist. The American Psychological Association says survivors can experience depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some also report memory difficulties or struggle with substance use.

Survivors of sexual exploitation may also need care for physical injuries or sexually transmitted infections. The APA identifies traumatic brain injury among the harms documented in trafficked women and girls. The effects of violence and psychological trauma can overlap, so survivors may need both medical care and mental health support as they recover.

Trafficking can also disrupt family relationships and leave survivors isolated. For children and teenagers, exploitation can take away part of their childhood and separate them from people they would ordinarily turn to for help.