Serving the Vulnerable in Paris

It is often said that the Olympic Games hold the opportunity to “bring the world together”. People from different backgrounds and nationalities gather in the same city to celebrate sportsmanship and competition, blending cultures, languages, and customs in the name of athletics.  

This event is seen as an exciting time for most of the world. However, an event like the Olympics can bring with it critical issues, including a rise in human trafficking––specifically, sex trafficking. 

Le Monde, a French daily newspaper, underlines the concern of increased prostitution during the Games.  

“Charities working in two hotspots,” notes the paper, “the Bolougne and Vincennes woods to the west and east of Paris––have noted increased police patrols ahead of the games with heavy-handed identity controls on women working in the sex industry.” 

While French authorities are aware and working toward helping mitigate human trafficking and sex work throughout the city, Greater Europe Mission worker Noemi P. Aguirre is taking a different approach. However, Aguirre’s history with the ministry begins far before the upcoming Olympic Games. 

Hospitality in Paris and Beyond 

Originally from Texas, Aguirre came to GEM France almost nine years ago to work on a church planting team and with professional young adult women. Based in Paris, half of her time is spent as the Director of Events for GEM International. From planning annual conferences to managing other events for GEM workers, Aguirre helps ensure organizational events run smoothly and serve those in attendance.  

When not coordinating events with GEM International, Aguirre co-founded a French ministry with the mission of being love in action and truth alongside people in vulnerable situations. The ministry strives to accompany each person toward a transformed life. 

“It began with a lot of prayer,” Aguirre says, spending her first few years fervent in prayer for an opportunity to serve people caught in sex trafficking. On her own, she began researching and attending trainings and seminars to better educate herself on sex trafficking in the European Union and specifically in France.  

God Connects the Dots 

Through a mutual connection, Aguirre began collaborating with a French ministry partner who saw a need for intervention, specifically in and around the local neighborhood.  

“The connection just made sense,” details Aguirre, realizing that her fluency in Spanish would be an asset to the neighbourhood’s majority-Spanish-speaking demographic.  

Together, Aguirre and her newfound team began praying and envisioning what a ministry serving Latin American transgender people who have been exploited could look like.  

Over five years later, the ministry has settled into its neighbourhood, providing hope for many. Since its founding, Aguirre has witnessed the transition to local participation and is encouraged to know the ministry is firmly rooted in its part of the city. 

Aguirre emphasizes that the ministry is focused on caring for Latin American men, women, and families who are in situations of exploitation. The first step, she says, is building trust, which sets the foundation for everything else, including “legal and administrative support, food distribution, social events, and discipleship.”  

An Increased Need  

In anticipation of the Olympics, authorities have seen a general increase in Latin American women arriving in France at risk of exploitation. Yet this troubling trend was first noticed during the pandemic, notes Aguirre. Because of this, ministries must be mindful of where attention is focused during the Olympics to ensure they serve as many women as possible. 

“We anticipate accessibility issues as the games get close,” she says. “Access to transport, food, [and] the price increase” may also add difficulty. While most Parisians dread price hikes ahead of the Olympics, for the most vulnerable, increased costs put into question eating or accessing transportation. Summer programming will continue but on a reduced plan, and children will still get to go to camp. 

Regardless of the changes, Aguirre remains positive as plans shift for this exceptionally busy summer.  

“We are partnering with an organization based in Mexico City that holds a similar vision,” says Aguirre. This organisation will send a team to Paris to aid in events and services during the Olympics. Educational opportunities for locals surrounding exploitation prevention will help those in the community understand how to spot exploitation.  

In addition to more formal opportunities, Aguirre hopes that social events like Olympic watch parties and block parties will help the community come together. “[They’re] open to anyone and everyone,” concludes Aguirre.  

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About the Author: Emma Turner is a Storyteller with Greater Europe Mission in Paris, France, serving vulnerable women in an urban setting.