Domestic violence on the rise since the pandemic

Violence against women has always existed. Every day, there is at least one case of domestic violence.

Since the start of the pandemic, the number of violence against women and girls has increased further. Domestic violence shelters and helplines have reached their maximum capacity. UN Women decided to come to the aid of the victims during this period.

All domestic violence (against a woman or a man) is prohibited by law. Any victim of physical, psychological or sexual violence can benefit from numerous protective measures. Public associations and institutions deal with the people who reported the facts. The measures can even extend to children.

The right steps to take in an emergency

• In case of problems and violence, alert the police or the gendarmerie by telephone to 17 or 112 (European number or from a mobile) but also by free sms to 114. These emergency numbers can be reached 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. 24.
• If urgent care is needed, reach the Samu by telephone at 15 (free call in metropolitan France and overseas), 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. You can also call the fire department on 18 or 112 from a cell phone.
• Removal of the responsible violent spouse. He must leave the home by force of the authorities. If she wishes, the victim can leave the home. She must then leave a handrail at the police station or the gendarmerie to avoid any reproach.
• You can also call the Samu social at 115 (free number of a landline or a mobile) for help and emergency accommodation. Open 7/7 and 24/24. This request remains valid during confinement and curfew.

What happened during the year 2020?

JANUARY

-AleXandro Palombo’s campaign

In mid January 2020, the Italian artist AleXsandro Palombo launched a shock campaign in the streets of Milan. He wanted to alert the world to the scourge of violence against women. The « street art » campaign was named « Just because I am a woman. Each poster depicted the swollen faces of female politicians or presidents’ wives. Among them were Brigitte Macron, Michelle Obama, Hilary Clinton, Angela Merkel, Aung San Suu Kyi or even Sonia Gandhi. English sentences denounced the situation of battered women around the world. It read « I am not allowed to dress as I want »,  » I am a victim of domestic violence « , » I cannot choose who I am going to marry « , » I have suffered genital mutilation « , » I have been raped « .

The posters affect everyone regardless of race, social class or religion, including gender. Among homosexuals, the problem also exists but is often a taboo subject

-The emphasis is on cyberviolence

« Conjugal cyberviolence is the use of digital spaces to control, humiliate or harass a spouse. 9 out of 10 women have experienced at least one form of conjugal cyberviolence that began during their life together, that is 87%. There are 5 forms of cyberviolence : Cyber ​​control (reading SMS for example), cyberbullying (incessant calls), cyber monitoring (surveillance by geolocation), sexual cyberviolence (dissemination of intimate images), and economic and administrative cyberviolence (hacked bank accounts). « 

What about men?

82,000 men victims of violence

Although representing a much smaller proportion than for women, domestic violence also exists against men. Between 2011 and 2018, each year, 28% of people aged 18 to 75 say they have been mistreated by their spouses. Of these 82,000 victims, 75,000 were physically attacked, 4,000 sexually assaulted and 3,000 both.

FEBRUARY

-The associations refute the results of the audit of the Ministry of the Interior

The audit revealed that nearly 90% of victims of domestic violence said they were « satisfied » with their reception by the police. In 2019, between 126 women and more than 150 women were killed by their spouse or ex.

Acquittal of a woman who killed her violent companion: appeal from the Nancy prosecutor.

MARCH

-Rise of intolerance in the face of violence against women

In the issue of gender equality, violence has an important place

-The 3919 becomes permanent

The telephone number for women victims of domestic violence will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by the end of the year. ”Marlène Schiappa made this decision on“ International Women’s Day ”.

APRIL

-A man killed by the police, intervened for domestic violence in Toulouse

JUNE

-Nicole Belloubet wants to develop protection orders

The Keeper of the Seals has decided to launch a « national steering committee » to develop protection orders for women victims of domestic violence

-The decree of the Senate

A woman victim of violence will have 24 hours to inform her spouse of a request for a protection order against her. This text from the « Grenelle against domestic violence » should allow a doctor to free himself from his professional secrecy to report violence in the event of « immediate danger » for the woman.

JULY

-The Assembly validates the possibility of lifting medical confidentiality

A law to « better protect » the victims. It must « absolutely be accompanied by comprehensive care ».

SEPTEMBER

-Victims of violence can unlock their employee savings early and without paying tax.

-Application of the anti-reconciliation bracelet

The anti-reconciliation bracelet is intended to keep violent spouses and ex-spouses away. There are already nearly a thousand available, first in Angoulême, Bobigny, Douai, Pontoise and Aix-en-Provence. It will be generalized throughout France by December 31.

Delivered very gradually, case by case of domestic violence cases, the bracelet attaches to the ankle. It triggers a signal as soon as the spouse or ex-spouse approaches his victim (between 1 and 10 km depending on the judgment). The latter must always carry a box with it to contact the remote assistance 7 days a week and 24 hours a day in the event of a problem. The offender must then move away. If he doesn’t respond, the police intervene.

NOVEMBER

-One in three recently separated women declares violence from a partner in the last twelve months.

-The rate of reports of domestic violence on the rise

DECEMBER

• Cyber ​​violence on the rise

Since 2018, there has been a sharp increase in cybercrime in domestic violence. Victims can receive death threats, slurs and intimidation via spyware (stalkerswares) on their phones. The ex-spouse even asks them for the numbers of bank codes, telephone, social networks. All these actions are crimes severely punished by law.

Convicted spouses or ex-spouses

Last week, the number of convictions for domestic violence increased. We are facing prison sentences of up to 2 years for some. In addition, we note recidivism among many defendants, which lengthens the sentence.

However, victims still hesitate to file a complaint for fear of reprisals, sometimes even out of shame.

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VERONIQUE YANG

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