Twenty-six women have been killed by the blows of their companion or ex-companion in the country since the beginning of the year. In just two days last week, three feminicides were reported in Gironde, Somme and Seine-et-Marne. Two of these women had filed a complaint against their violent spouse. Faced with the urgency of the situation, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne announced, on Monday March 7, the establishment of “specialized poles” in domestic violence within the courts, in order to “respond locally” to the difficulties of women. victims.
“We are going to set up specialized centers in each court to be able to better deal with this domestic violence, to also be able to respond globally to the difficulties encountered by women victims of violence”, explained Elisabeth Borne on France 5.
A “full response” for the victims
The poles will not be specialized courts, said Elisabeth Borne, who received the first conclusions of a parliamentary mission whose final work is expected at the end of March. Some 200 centers will be created within the 164 judicial courts and 36 courts of appeal, Matignon told Agence France Presse. They will deal with domestic violence cases both at the civil and criminal levels, with a single file and dedicated hearings. “The objective is to have a complete response for these women who are victims of violence. It is about local justice […] to be able to respond locally to the difficulties of these women”, according to Élisabeth Borne. “Among the magistrates who will be recruited, additional resources could be devoted to these poles”, she added, without further details.
In December, the National Assembly adopted at first reading, against the government’s opinion, a Republican bill providing for the creation of a court specializing in domestic violence, on the model of Spain.
To keep violent spouses away more effectively, the government is also going to shorten the time limits for immediate protection orders which can be issued by the judge “in 24 hours” and “without adversarial action if it is believed that a woman is really in danger”, has also announced Elisabeth Borne. This is the “creation of an immediate protection order in 24 hours that the judge will issue, without a hearing, urgently, to guarantee the effective safety of the victim and his children”, specified on Twitter the Minister Delegate. for Equality between women and men Isabelle Rome. “We are stepping up the safety of women victims of violence as soon as they are reported,” she added.
The measure will be added to the “new start pack”, launched on Friday March 3 by the Minister responsible for gender equality, Isabelle Rome. The device is supposed to facilitate the separation of victims from their violent spouse, and their departure from the marital home. “The new start pack will help these women to get out of the clutches of their executioner much more quickly,” assured the minister.
Reimbursed periodic protections
In addition, Elisabeth Borne announced the reimbursement of reusable period protection (panties and menstrual cups) from 2024 by Social Security for those under 25 years old. Objective: to fight against menstrual precariousness.
“We are going to set up reimbursement by Social Security for reusable periodic protection from next year”, declared Élisabeth Borne on France 5. This will concern “all young women under 25” and the measure will be budgeted for 2024, she added. To be reimbursed, these periodic protections will have to be purchased in pharmacies, which will be possible “without a prescription”, she further specified. “It is unthinkable that women cannot have the protections they need,” commented the Prime Minister.
On March 8, for International Women’s Day, Elisabeth Borne must also present her new plan for equality between women and men (2023-2027), which will include measures around several aspects (economy, health , education…).