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Vaginal touching without consent, inappropriate comments, failure to respect privacy… Gynecological violence is numerous and varied. To recognize them, and measure the facts, an association has developed a brand new barometer.
While the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, unveiled new measures this Monday, November 25 in order to combat violence against women, the association of midwives “Périnée bien-aimer” and the cabinet “Relyances” unveiled a whole new barometer to assess gynecological violence.
Obstetric violence: acts still too often ignored
According to a parliamentary report promulgated by the Senate, obstetric and gynecological violence can be defined as a form of inappropriate or non-consensual violence.
“In the privacy of a medical consultation or childbirth, women are victims of violent practices or those that may be perceived as such. These are inappropriate or non-consensual acts, such as episiotomies, or the non-use of anesthesia for painful procedures. Sexist behavior has also been recorded.
These acts can take very diverse forms, from the most seemingly innocuous to the most serious and are carried out by caregivers of all specialties.who do not necessarily intend to be abusive“, recalls High Council for Equality between Women and Men.
However, if in recent years, women have revolted against this violence on social networks and in the media (abuse in care concerns around 20% of women who consulted), they sometimes struggle to qualify an act as “violent “. In fact, patients’ rights and reporting procedures are unknown and disciplinary procedures are unsuitable.
To support all these women and help them see things more clearly, the association of midwives “Périnée bien-aimer” and the firm “Relyances” have imagined a barometer to measure these inappropriate acts. A real “lever of change”, which aims to raise awareness among patients and healthcare professionals.
A barometer to measure the well-treatment of practitioners
To combat the violence suffered during gynecological consultations, which affects thousands of women, an association of midwives, supported by a consulting firm, has designed a barometer intended for gynecological violence.
“This barometer is a new step in breaking the taboos surrounding gynecological violence. It gives a voice to patients while inviting professionals to adopt more respectful practices. Many caregivers are committed to doing good, it is not a question of to point the finger at them, but to build together a peaceful and constructive dialogue”reveals Camille Tallet, President of Périnée Bien-Aimé.
Said barometer, inspired by the violenceometer, takes the form of a ruler and deciphers the behavior of the healthcare professional, revealing Health Magazine. It actually invites patients to seek help if:
- The gynecologist makes inappropriate and/or sexual comments;
- He or she requires the patient to be naked;
- He or she imposes an examination without clear and expressed consent;
- He or she continues the examination despite the fact that the patient expresses pain/disagreement, cries or screams;
- He or she carries out an examination by blackmail/threat, coercion, surprise, violence;
- He or she makes inappropriate and/or sexual gestures;
- He/she is a victim of rape (anal, vaginal, oral penetration by an object or part of the practitioner’s body).
It is recommended to leave the premises immediately and file a complaint or report bad behavior. Some of this gynecological and obstetrical violence is criminally punishable.