AGIPI creates a “domestic violence guarantee” for victims

Last year, Uber and Uber Eats partnered with “Femme avec …” to help women victims of domestic violence.

Together, they offered 50,000 free rides to shelters and safe spaces in more than 17 countries until the end of May 2020. In France, Uber rides were offered in 24 cities. Uber Eats carts were delivered to 147 cities.

This year, Muriel Réus, president of “Femme avec …” has decided to join the AGIPI association of which she is an administrator to support victims of domestic violence. This is how a domestic violence guarantee was born within the framework of the CAP insurance policy. Listening, discussing and supporting victims individually are the main aspects of this guarantee covering domestic violence.

Health crisis and domestic violence

Domestic violence has been a phenomenon that has been around the world for centuries. They apply within the couple and are characterized by a relationship of domination of one partner over the other. Whether verbal, psychological, physical, sexual, threats, pressure, deprivation or coercion, they can cause psychological and physical damage to the victim, and social isolation that can lead to death.

This violence is aimed at both men (almost a quarter) and women (in most cases). It is also rampant in heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Since the appearance of the pandemic in 2020, we have seen an amplification of the phenomenon. This affects the most vulnerable people but also families where confinement has increased domestic violence at home. This domestic violence can also affect other members of the family, in particular children.

This is why the association “Femme avec …” chose this slogan: “Stay at home, it’s not knock on your house!”

Disturbing figures and a new operation of the 3919

At the start of confinement, an increase of + 32% in rural areas and + 36% in urban areas was observed. One in three women has been affected. In one year, reports of domestic violence have increased by 60% in France. This is what motivated the commitment of Muriel Réus and AGIPI in their innovative response to this scourge. In 2020, there were 156,000 victims, including 137,280 women (+ 9.6% compared to 2019); + 36% of declarations of domestic violence and + 22% of calls handled by the 39 19.

3919 is the number to contact in the event of domestic violence. The Fédération Nationale Solidarité Femmes (FNSF) created this issue in 1992, supported by the Ministry responsible for women’s rights, in partnership with numerous associations for the defense of women’s rights. Among them are the European Association against Violence Against Women at Work or the Association Femmes solidaires.

International Women’s Rights Day face to the violence

In 1910, the Socialist International, meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, decided to establish a Women’s Day to pay tribute to the movement in favor of women’s rights and to promote the achievement of universal suffrage for women.

The theme chosen in 2021, for International Women’s Day (March 8) is “Female leadership: For an egalitarian future in the world of Covid-19”. It supports the efforts of women and girls around the world to shape a more equal future and recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic. It highlights the gaps to be filled, including professional parity.

UN Women has supported all women on the front line (health profession, scientists or leaders) in the fight against this pandemic by promoting flexible working arrangements; and prioritizing gender-based violence prevention services.

Domestic violence: why?

Domestic violence does not happen overnight, it sets in little by little. Recognized in France for a few years, it has emerged from the silence thanks to the media coverage. The home becomes for the victims, a place of contempt and attacks of all kinds (physical, sexual, verbal, psychological or economic).

Physical violence often leaves traces on the body or face, including open wounds and even broken limbs. Some victims can have lifelong consequences. We do not count the somatic affections (eczema, headaches, gynecological infections) generated by this violence. In addition, there were 106 people killed by their spouses or ex-spouses in France in 2020, including 90 women, against 173 (including 146 women) in 2019. This figure is the lowest since the first census of femicides in 2006.

In contrast, domestic violence has increased. In 2020, there were + 9% complaints for domestic violence compared to 2019. An increase for the third consecutive year.

How does it start?

A simple word, a husband’s daze linked to the absorption of alcohol or drugs, a jealous character can start everything. There are also circumstances where mothers want to protect their children from beating or even incest. Religious, racial, even political principles can be taken into account.

How to fight against this violence?

Many associations are mobilizing to come to the aid of the victims and warn them of the danger they incur. They try to find a solution to help them escape such situations and even organize networks. They are mobilizing to warn the public and denounce the abuses.

“Grenelle” of domestic violence

At the end of 2019, the government had organized a “Grenelle” on domestic violence. About forty measures had been successful. Among them, we will note:

-lifting of medical confidentiality in certain cases of domestic violence.
-the deployment of anti-reconciliation bracelets for violent spouses or ex-spouses.
-the promise to operate the 3919, a 24/7 crisis line dedicated to victims of domestic violence.
A new operation of 3919 is born on May 25. This follows the signing of a multi-year objective agreement between the State and the FNSF. Hours 3919, national platform (listening, information and guidance of victims, including people with disabilities) are extended from the end of June 2021 (Monday to Friday: 24 hours a day and weekends: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Before the end of August 2021, the time slots will be fully extended: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The association “Femme avec …” and AGIPI

The association “Femme avec …” allows the identification, inventory and analysis of existing problems and obstacles; dissemination of available solutions. It carries out influencing work on legislative and regulatory bodies and promotes exemplary initiatives. Its main themes are the fight against violence against women; equality between women and men; the fight against the precarious situation of single mothers; single-parent families; education and training and awareness.

This year, thanks to the joint work of Muriel Réus, founder of “Femmes avec …” and of the association of insured persons of AGIPI, a guarantee of “domestic violence” was able to see the light of day. This warranty includes:

A dedicated phone number open 24/7, 01 55 92 24 58.
Psychological support.
Legal protection.
Specific support in the event of disability.

AGIPI is an independent association of policyholders for Savings, Pensions, Creditor Insurance, Welfare and Health. Created in 1976 ,. A partner of the AXA group, it meets the needs of its members, while constantly innovating to improve social and asset protection. Since the health crisis, AGIPI has mobilized against the coronavirus. Its “AGIPI Régions Solidaire” branch obtained the “RELANCE” label in December 2020, thus contributing to the recovery of the national economy thanks to its savers.

The free application “APP ELLES”

The “APP ELLES” application is a unique personal alert system. Thanks to this application launched in 2015, victims or witnesses can in case of emergency or distress, alert or contact relatives, emergency services, associations and all the help available around them. Available in more than 13 countries, “App-Elles” centralizes and relays local information and national systems. The main functions are: Send and receive alerts, Contact professional helpers, Find a reception center, Find out about violence (advice sheets and useful links), Use online services. 3 buttons corresponding to each of the 3 steps:

ALERT: First define 3 “alert contact” people. This key is used to send automatically every 90 seconds, a message to call for help (in the form of SMS), to define its GPS position, thanks to a photo taken automatically by the telephone. It allows you to call 112, a single number operating in all the Member States of the European Union.

TALK ABOUT IT: Relationship with 3 associations at local or international level: Violences Femmes Informations (3919), Allô Enfance en danger (119), 08Victimes (08 842 846 37).

ACT: Identify and reference structures and associations; victim assistance systems; definitions of the different forms of violence and the consequences on health.

Feminicides since the beginning of the year

Since the start of 2021, 48 feminicides have been observed in France. There are 37 women killed at home, including 22 mothers, leaving 40 children without a mother. For the 9 of them who attended the scene, it will be a heavy trauma. In 2019, 25 children died as a result of violence within the couple.

Of the perpetrators, 15 committed suicide and 4 attempted suicide.

In many of these cases, the question of dysfunctions between the police and the judiciary arises. History is repeating itself despite women’s complaints to the authorities. Hayange’s feminicide on May 23 is proof of this. The 22-year-old was beaten and stabbed in the middle of the street by her companion. She had lodged a complaint against the one who had threatened her during a parlor in February.

In addition, there are insufficient resources to take care of mothers and children. Last September, the Prime Minister promised a thousand additional accommodation places, which remains below needs, according to associations.

Spain publishes the figures, identifies more problems and follows cases more effectively than France.

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