A woman went to a pharmacy in Nancy to report domestic violence, two days after the announcement of an alert system in pharmacies, and her husband was arrested, AFP learned Monday .
Saturday afternoon, a woman "went to a pharmacy in Nancy because she had heard that it was the place where one could report domestic violence , " said the prosecutor of the Republic of Nancy, François Pérain.
Read also: Shopping centers, shelters for victims of domestic violence during confinement
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner announced Thursday the establishment of an alert system in pharmacies for women victims of domestic violence. During the first week of confinement, domestic violence increased by 32% in the gendarmerie zone and 36% in the police zone, said Castaner. The code "mask 19" can be used by the victim if he is accompanied by his spouse, he had suggested.
Read also: Containment: domestic violence on the rise
"The victim did not have recourse to any code, she was alone and could speak freely," said Mr. Pérain. The police, contacted by the pharmacist, arrested the spouse at his home and placed him in police custody at the city police station.
During her testimony, the woman, five months pregnant, said that "a new dispute had opposed her partner who slapped her and advanced towards her with a knife in her hand" , said reported Mr. Pérain. She mentioned "having also been abused three times" before, in February and March. "A neighbor of the couple confirmed the existence of scenes of violence and claimed to have seen the victim with bruises on the face," added the prosecutor.
Read also: Containment, a psychic test not to be underestimated
No trace of physical violence could be found during a medical examination which nevertheless concluded "to the existence of a psychological impact" , according to Mr. Pérain.
The man, who admitted having already slapped his partner, was placed under judicial supervision Monday with a ban on contacting the victim and going to his home. He was summoned to the Nancy Criminal Court on June 5.