According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of victims of domestic violence was in
10% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. If the Interministerial Mission for the Protection of Women has indeed noted a sharp increase in violence against women during the first confinement, there is another reason: the freedom of speech. More and more victims are taking legal action, exponentially increasing the number of reports. However, many are still walled in silence. An agreement signed between the Lille Hospital Center (CHU) and the local prosecutor’s office could change the situation.
In October, Eric Dupond-Moretti, Minister of Justice, welcomed “that the innovations and continuous efforts of France in the fight against domestic violence […] be recognized beyond our borders. And it is true that the government has gone all out in recent years: 3919, serious danger telephone, anti-reconciliation bracelet, file of perpetrators of domestic violence… But all of this can only be put in place when legal proceedings are initiated. Which is far from always the case.
“In fact, many women did not follow up”
Until now, a victim of domestic violence who was taken care of in the emergency room of the hospital or in the medico-judicial unit then had to go to a police station or a gendarmerie to file a complaint. This complaint was then sent to the public prosecutor’s office, which was responsible for initiating proceedings. “In fact, many women did not follow up”, we recognize at the Lille prosecutor’s office. Hence the idea of modifying the protocol.
It is now the CHU which will directly report the facts of domestic violence to the services of the Lille prosecutor. “Of course, this can only be done with the consent of the victim, except in exceptional cases”, we are told by the prosecution. It will then be the victim who will be contacted by the police to file a complaint by appointment and no longer the reverse. “This protocol simplifies the journey of victims by facilitating their referral to the authorities in charge of investigations and prosecutions”, continues the prosecution.
If this is on the margins, there are nevertheless many testimonies from women denouncing the attitude of certain police officers when they came to file a complaint for domestic violence or sexual violence. Our colleagues from Médiacités have also echoed cases that have occurred in Lille. Nationally, the site
Douplepeine.fr lists dozens of such cases. Going through the prosecutor’s office first reduces this risk for the victim.