Massive child prostitution trial begins in France

Sixty-six people were going on trial today for allegedly prostituting children - some only months old – for food and money in one the biggest criminal trials ever in France.

The case centres on the rape and other abuse of a total of 45 children in a community in the western town of Angers from 1999 to 2002.

Thirty-nine of the defendants face up to 30 years in prison on charges of rape of minors under age 15 and “aggravated procuring” in the prostitution ring.

The remaining suspects face charges of sexual violence on minors and failure to denounce crimes, which carry sentences of up to 10 years behind bars.

“To my knowledge, we’ve never seen a criminal case of this magnitude in France,” said Pascal Rouiller, defence lawyer for five suspects.

The victims, ranging in age from six months to 14 years old, were allegedly often raped by their own parents or offered to other adults in exchange for small amounts of money or parcels of food.

Defence lawyers said some of the suspects, who allegedly at times raped victims in gardeners’ huts, were illiterate and appeared not to fully understand the charges they faced.

The lawyers said they planned to argue that government social workers, who had worked with many of the suspects, had failed in their responsibilities or turned a blind eye to signs of abuse.

Some suspects, who hid their identities under masks during the abuse, are believed to still be at large.

Social services are now caring for and housing the victims.