Sexual Assault Cases Against Minors Under Scrutiny
Two grave incidents of sexual offenses against minors have surfaced, involving individuals entrusted with authority and influence. An 18-year-old man in Israel faces charges of exploiting minors through social media, while a prominent former canoe-kayak coach in France has admitted to molesting underage students under his guidance.
In Israel, an indictment against an 18-year-old male was filed following accusations of committing sexual offenses and other crimes against 17 minors aged 9-16. The accused allegedly operated multiple fictitious social media accounts on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to engage in sexual conversations with minors, often under pseudonyms and once posing as a girl. He coerced the children into sending sexually explicit images and performing indecent acts.
The Israeli Cyber Department of the State Attorney's Office highlighted the severity of the offenses, charging the man with rape, indecent acts, sexual harassment, and possession of obscene material involving minors. The prosecution aimed to detain him until the trial concludes, emphasizing the high risk posed by his actions, which persisted over a significant period.
In a parallel incident in France, Jean-Yves Prigent, a 70-year-old former canoe-kayak coach, admitted to sexually assaulting minors during a competition weekend. The Rennes public prosecutor confirmed that Prigent, who had an influential stature in French canoeing, faced allegations from a 16-year-old victim and subsequently another minor of the same age. The incidents occurred in Prigent's camper van.
Prigent, who acknowledged the accusations during police custody, now faces trial in July. His judicial control mandates barring from activities involving minors and contact with victims, alongside bans from certain canoe-kayak clubs. The French canoe-kayak federation has initiated precautionary measures pending further investigation.
- The case against the 18-year-old man in Israel began when a mother reported his actions to the unit 105 hotline. This led to an extensive investigation by the Blahav network 433 and unit 105, focusing on protecting minors from cyber-related sexual crimes.
- Jean-Yves Prigent’s involvement in the canoeing community includes his connection to the family, where his wife and children hold significant positions. His wife manages the upcoming Olympic canoeing site, and his daughter is a competitor in the 2024 Olympics. The high-profile nature of the case has drawn considerable media attention, highlighting the broader issue of sexual abuses in sports.
