France announces new measures to combat violence against women

Published on: 25/11/2024 – 18:12

2 minutes

Despite the fact that the fight against violence against women has become a national issue, sexual violence appears to be on the rise in France.

In the latter VRS surveypublished in November, 484,000 women reported having been victims of violence by a partner or ex-partner in 2023.

About 123,000 people reported sexual violence (rape, attempted rape and sexual assault), 109,000 physical violence and 339,000 non-physical violence (sexual harassment and indecent exposure).

Official figures show that 93 women will have been murdered at the hands of their partners or former partners in 2023, while the feminist collective #Noustoutes (All of us Women) has reported 122 such femicides since the beginning of the year.

Mass rape trial sparks demonstrations across France

Thousands of women in France on Saturday went out into the street to expose the inadequate actions of the government.

Speaking on Franceinfo Equality Minister Salima Saa said on public radio on Monday that the government was “fully mobilised” on the issue.

She announced the expansion of a system that allows victims of sexual violence to file complaints with hospitals, not just police stations.

The system, currently in use in 236 hospitals, will be expanded to 377 structures by the end of 2025, Saa said.

The government hopes it will encourage more victims to report the crime.

While the MeToo movement has made it easier for victims of violence to come forward and the police have registered a doubling of the number of victims Since 2016, only 14 percent of victims have reported the crime in 2022, the VRS study shows.

‘Before and after’ Mazan

The government also recently announced an information campaign to help potential victims of chemical subjugation, which Saa described as “a new plague.”

The issue has been highlighted since World War II mass rape trial in which Frenchman Dominique Pélicot drugged his wife Gisèle before inciting dozens of men to rape her at the couple’s family home in Mazan.

Mass rape trial sparks demonstrations across France

The campaign, supported by the M’endor’s pass The association, co-founded by Gisèle Pélicot’s daughter, includes a helpline with advice on where to go for hair, blood and urine tests, Saa explains.

Prime Minister Michel Barnier has announced a trial period of reimbursing self-detection kits for people who believe they may have been victims of chemical exposure.

There would be “a before and after Mazan,” Barnier said Monday during a visit to a women’s shelter.

Increased budget

The government promised to give an impetus emergency aid to support victims of domestic violence once they leave home.

Saa said 33,000 people have benefited from the fund since it was launched in late 2023.

Beneficiaries receive between €240 and €1,130; the average amount is €800.

Next year the allocated budget would increase from €13 million to €20 million next year.

Victims of domestic violence in France receive emergency help

At a time when the government wants that Save 60 billion euros To solve France’s growing debt burden, Saa said they had “succeeded” in achieving a 10 percent increase in the gender equality budget – to 85.1 million euros.

However, women’s rights organizations are calling for a total budget of 2.6 billion euros per year and an “integral framework law” to replace the current legislation, which they consider “fragmented and incomplete”.