Sexual assaults reported almost daily in Ceuta amid migrant crisis

Spanish prosecutors say 23 sexual assaults, including nine against children, have been recorded in Ceuta since the mass influx of migrants from Morocco at the end of July. Ceuta's chief prosecutor Silvia Rojas said this means almost one case every day, and migrant girls are particularly vulnerable due to their irregular status. At least 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta on 30-31 July; most have returned, but as many as 5,000 remain, leading to unrest and a crisis for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Violence has flared between migrants and residents. Sánchez convened a national security meeting on Tuesday. Between 1,400 and 1,600 of the remaining migrants are children. Suspected attackers include four Moroccans, three Spaniards, and a Belgian. Many victims did not file reports out of fear. The government approved a multi-million euro aid package. The mayor called for demonstrations in support of Ceuta. The opposition criticizes Sánchez's handling, and he has accused foreign actors of stoking the crisis via disinformation, which Russia and Israel deny.