“The national tool to help identify violence against women” prepared by the High Health Authority begins to be deployed in the country. On the occasion of the international day for the fight against violence against women on November 25, HAS sent professionals a guide to help them ask their patients about this topic.
Because every year thousands of women are beaten by their husband or husband. And in some cases, murdered. In 2021, police services and gendarmerie units identified 122 femicides.
“Undetected violence has consequences on physical and mental health and, in general, becomes more frequent and severe over time, to the point of representing a life-threatening risk,” the HAS recalled this Wednesday in a press release.
“Demystify” the topic
“In the end it is very simple, to the extent that we notify the patient saying ‘I am going to ask you some questions [sur le sujet des violences] while I ask about your life. And I ask them all,'” summarizes Margot Bayard, vice president of MG France, the French general practitioners’ union, at the BFMTV microphone.
“From that moment on, we demystified this question. And that makes the task much easier. The first time we are afraid of the answer, but we learn and realize how liberating it is, ”she explains.
In the guide sent to the doctors by the HAS, examples of questions are already written: “How are you doing at home?”, “How are you doing with your partner?”, “Do you think you have been subjected to violence (physical, verbal, psychological, sexual) during your life?
The Haute Autorité de Santé invites professionals to rephrase them in their own words if necessary.
“There may be difficulties”
If questioning the issue of domestic violence is necessary and considered normal by a large majority of women, “there may be difficulties”, acknowledges Françoise Brié, general director of the National Federation of Solidarity Women (FNSM).
“Because the general practitioner is often the doctor for the whole family, therefore for the children, but also for the violent spouse,” he explains. “Behind, the question [posée]what action to take? And what you have to do is work in a network, but also know the resources to be able to guide women”.
3919: the hotline for women victims of violence
“3919”, “Violence Femmes Info”, is the national reference number for women victims of violence (marital, sexual, psychological, forced marriage, sexual mutilation, harassment…). It is free and anonymous. It offers listening, informs and guides towards support and support systems. This number is administered by the National Federation of Solidarity Women (FNSF).
Source: BFM TV
