“It was a few months ago. A couple I know well and I can’t tell you anything other than I didn’t like the future father. The flair of 15 years of practice, no more no less. Always there, always present, stuck to our backs. Imposing, deleterious and uncomfortable presence.” Thus begins the story of Anna Roy, midwife and author, particularly known for her chronicles in The Kindergarten House. On his profile Instagram, the professional is used to popularizing a number of subjects related to childbirth: episiotomy, postpartum, breastfeeding… but also many taboo subjects, such as the mental health of young mothers or maternal suicide. This Monday, September 25, she recounts the meeting with this woman whom she followed during her pregnancy and her postpartum follow-up and her suspicions, which grew ever stronger as the weeks went by. It is during the perineal assessment that the midwife receives confirmation of what she feared: “she undresses, she is covered in bruises, marks (…) these were not wounds that one could inflict alone.” Her husband being in the next room, Anna Roy whispers in his ear: “tonight, tomorrow, 3919, SMS 114, the 17th, the 18th, the police station, the medical-judicial emergencies of the Hôtel-Dieu, a lawyer, my findings, whatever you want, but we have to leave, leave quickly” she writes.
A story that ends well
The woman in question “had the strength to leave”. It was able to be taken care of correctly by the medical-judicial actors and received support from his family. Since then, she has found love again. The real one this time. So, Anna Roy appeals to women who are violently abused by their partners and called for this story to be shared to allow other women to free themselves from their tormentor: “No possible justification, it is never your fault, even if you are told otherwise. Are you told that it is because there is too much love? Nonsense (…) Sometimes it even kills you. So I implore you, leave, flee, get away from them.” In the comments of the publication, many pregnancy and childbirth professionals testify to similar situations and underline the extent to which this long-term follow-up around childbirth can be decisive when it comes to female victims. of domestic violence. According to the collective Femicides by companions or exAlready 80 women have died at the hands of their partner or ex-partner since the start of the year to September 19, 2023.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, contact 39 19 (free and anonymous call, 24/7). In case of imminent danger, call immediately 17 where the 112. You can also send an SMS to 114 in case you can’t speak.