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Domestic violence: “Rather than a loan, we need more help for women and the associations that support them”

2023-01-16T18:05:08.962Z


INTERVIEW – A proposal for “universal emergency aid” for victims of domestic violence is currently being studied in the Assembly. Gilles Lazimi, general practitioner specializing in domestic violence, expresses reservations about this device.


Gilles Lazimi

is a general practitioner, head of health prevention actions for the town of Romainville in Seine-Saint-Denis and lecturer in general medicine at the Pierre and Marie Curie University.

He was a member of the High Council for Equality between Women and Men between 2015 and 2019.

LE FIGARO.

- The bill brought by the centrist senator Valérie Létard intends to allow women victims of domestic violence to benefit from universal emergency aid, ie a zero-rate loan. What do you think of this device?

Gilles LAZIMI.

-

Financial assistance for victims of domestic violence is an interesting proposal.

Associations have been asking for this kind of help for a long time.

When women have left their apartments and are housed in associations, they need money.

In particular to have food aid, a telephone or even diapers for the children...

Read alsoDomestic violence: what we know about the “universal emergency aid” project for victims

However, if this aid is accompanied by a refund, that seems more complicated to me.

The women who are accommodated in the associations have often left everything, with their children under their arms.

In their situation, three-quarters of the patients I see will not be able to repay the loan (Editor's note: it is noted in the bill that the loan would be without obligation to repay for people in financial difficulty).

In the current state of the bill, what are the points that seem difficult to achieve?

There are several points.

First of all, the notion of universality.

As explained above, not all women will be able to repay the loan.

The text also mentions married women, PACS and cohabiting.

But what about those in an irregular situation?

Then, the condition for this loan to be granted: there must be a protection order or that the victim has filed a complaint.

But not all women are able to file a complaint.

A complaint is not necessary for a protection order, but a file must be established.

And it doesn't happen that way.

Finally, we must above all help the associations that house these women and provide social support.

They are not sufficiently supported and there is not enough accommodation.

It is not 5000 euros that will allow the victims to find accommodation.

Rather, associations should be funded to obtain emergency housing.

You receive women who are victims of domestic violence.

What is the first emergency they have to deal with?

The first emergency is undoubtedly secure accommodation and food aid within the associations.

When a woman manages to leave the marital home and find an association that is able to accommodate and protect her, that is when we can put in place legal capacities such as a protection order. ;

ways to regain control over the bank account;

to ensure that family allowances do not fall on the account of the alleged aggressor.

"The action must be global, otherwise women will not leave their homes"

The financial subject is therefore essential, but all aspects must be taken into account.

The action must be global, otherwise the women will not leave their homes.

When they flee with children, it regularly happens that the alleged aggressor files a complaint against them if they do not present the children.

It is important to withdraw this parental authority, at least temporarily.

What should be done, in your opinion?

In my opinion, this financial assistance should quickly go through a mediator, such as associations who know the women they welcome well.

Since we have financial aid, we should set up permanent housing with priority access to derisory rents allowing our wives to rebuild and bounce back.

Regarding the loan, the Minister for Gender Equality, Isabelle Rome, spoke of a donation.

I agree with her: it should be aid without reimbursement if the women are unable to reimburse.

Reimbursement should not be problematic.

In its latest report, hotline 3919 notes an increase in calls.

What do you think of the global action in terms of domestic violence?

Clearly, we are making progress.

The increase in the number of complaints does not mean an increase in violence.

This means the permission that we give to these women to speak out and file a complaint.

Now the complaints must be heard, and the protection must be effective.

It's positive, but there is still a lot of work to do, in terms of justice, police, accommodation and support for these women.

The aids are an additional point, but that will not be enough.

It should not be symbolic texts, it is necessary to put the means.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2023-01-16

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