It is on France Info that the Secretary of State for Equality between women and men Marlène Schiappa revealed the alarming and increasing figures concerning domestic violence since the beginning of the confinement.
"There have been five times more reports than usual" this was announced by Marlene Schiappa at the microphone of France Info today. The Secretary of State for Equality between Women and Men has noted an increase in alerts of domestic violence since the start of confinement following the health crisis. These alerts come from the platform set up by the government to fight domestic violence in France.
The secretary of state noted that there is, therefore, a decrease in complaints to the emergency number, 39.19, given that it is difficult to file a complaint by phone in the presence of his executioner: "Paradoxically, there are slightly fewer calls to the number 39.19. But it is mainly because it is difficult to call when you are confined with a violent man. And this is precisely the reason why we wish that the devices come to women in pharmacies and shopping malls. " Indeed, last month, the government shared its emergency plan regarding domestic violence during this period of confinement. Pharmacists are available to listen to the victims. By going to the pharmacy, on the pretext of a purchase, women victims of violence can thus alert of the mistreatment they suffer. Pharmacists can then notify the police.
Warning signs that can save victims
At a time when victims of domestic violence have never been so isolated, it is important to remember the importance of the warning signs that those around them can identify. For this, the Maison des Femmes carefully reminds you of what to remember: "If you feel a change in behavior in a confined loved one, if she never has the opportunity to isolate herself to communicate with you, if she talks to you about tensions in her couple or changes in behavior in her spouse, do not trivialize not his words, stay tuned. These may be warning signs " It is the same for the neighbors. If you hear suspicious cries or quarrels that make you uncomfortable, you probably have to intervene. In this specific case, ringing the couple's bell with any pretext could well save a life.
Everyone can be vigilant against violence
Being vigilant and attentive is important. Knowing the emergency numbers is more than crucial. If calling 39.19 creates a risk, it is always possible to launch the alert discreetly by sending a text to 114. In an emergency it is, of course, quite possible to call the police and the gendarmerie at 17. SOS Viols-Femmes-Information also helps victims and responds to alerts at this number: 0 800 05 95 95. If certain telephone points are overloaded and do not answer, it is important to insist and all try, to maximize your chances of getting help, until someone answers your call.
How to react to a victim who refuses help?
In this period of confinement, the hardest part is knowing how to react when a victim of violence refuses help. To this complex issue, the association La Maison des Femmes explains that the victim must be reassured and valued: "You have to help him get out of his isolation, give him compliments." Unfortunately, if the victim is an adult, it is difficult to intervene when faced with this scourge when she refuses help. In this specific case, it is useful to take into account the people present in the home. If minors are present during this violence, it can help more easily to intervene. It is therefore necessary to call 119 to alert of the danger to which the child and the minor (s) are exposed. The important thing is therefore to surround yourself with professionals if you are not.
Then you have to measure the dangerousness of the situation. Has the perpetrator ever threatened the victim with a weapon? Has he ever threatened him with death? Does he use drugs? Faced with this, it is also necessary to know if the victim has already filed a complaint against his executioner in order to be able to evict the latter from the marital home. Associations in your department can be mobilized to help you get the victim out of this ordeal.
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