Prostitution: in this city of Seine-et-Marne, sanctions for those who close their eyes?<

By Julien Van Caeyseele Published on The Republic of Seine et Marne See my news

"Escort-girl in Melun": on the Internet, the search provides access in a few clicks to an appointment with many addresses, spread throughout the city center. “Prostitutes, in Melun (Seine-et-Marne), there are everywhere! I distinguish those who exercise on their own, but I want to alert for those who exercise under the constraint of networks… ”

"Fighting Networks"

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This exit of Philippe Martin, elected opposition member of the Réinventons Melun group, did not go unnoticed during the last city council. An intervention carried out within the framework of the debate on gender equality. Contacted on the sidelines of the session, the chosen one persists.

"It's a very common problem in the city center," he says. My message is not to point fingers at these people, but to denounce the networks that have a hold on them and exploit them, and those who profit from them. »

Legal arsenal

In the forefront of which, the owners who, according to him, turn a blind eye to activities. "There is no hotel in Melun so they rent apartments on platforms or to owners who know their activities very well", continues Philippe Martin, who recalls that a legal arsenal exists in this area.

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Thus, “selling or making available to one or more persons premises or locations not used by the public, knowing that they will engage in prostitution there” is considered pimping. An activity punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of €750,000.

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— Boy Fan Wed Tue 25 18:47:10 +0000 2009

"These are the owners on whom we must act"

For the elected official, who also quotes article 706-40 of the penal code "the owners can request 'the termination of the lease and the eviction of the tenant, sub-tenant or occupant who engages in prostitution or tolerates it' . »

And to illustrate: “But renting an apartment for 300 € to three girls when the classic rent is 750 € is much more lucrative… These are the owners on whom we must act. Contacted, the Melun prosecutor's office indicates that the municipality is not targeted more than any other in terms of pimping.

“We must not forget that prostitution is not punishable by law, insists Solaine Claude, the deputy in charge of pimping cases at the Melun prosecutor's office. Prostitutes are victims. »

“Nuisance for local residents”

According to her, the figures for tickets for resorting to prostitution are not on the rise in the police district. Only hotel pimping with underage prostitutes is on the rise in the sector.

"Pimping has a broad definition, but when you facilitate prostitution, you actually become a pimp," she confirms. For the owners, however, it is necessary to be able to prove that they are aware of the activity. And from the point of view of the investigators, this is one of the main difficulties.

Currently, an investigation is open concerning acts of pimping in Melun. A few months ago, a landlord was identified and tenants were evicted from an apartment near the island.

According to this policeman, “you have to be able to prove that the owner is aware… and public outcry is not proof. For Philippe Martin, although they are "invisible, they exist" and their customers leave traces of their passage.

"They parade daily in front of addresses, knocking on doors at the wrong meeting place," he said. Worse, according to him, an angry customer had even set fire to the car of a local resident a few months ago.

Privacy

“My objective is to challenge the municipality on a scourge that affects Melun, he concludes. By sending simple letters to the owners, we could, I am sure, fight against the phenomenon. Contacted, the municipality specifies working in collaboration with the national police on the subject.

“Housing, hygiene and prevention: all services are mobilized and we must of course work with the owners of the accommodation concerned, we say to the mayor's office. It is a long-term job in full collaboration with the police forces to ensure the tranquility of local residents. However, confidentiality is essential and no denunciation of alleged facts is possible without proof. »

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