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Dr. Ghada Hatem (Gynecologist)
You may have heard of chemical submission: it is the act of drugging a person without their knowledge, often to abuse them. A more widespread phenomenon than you might think, it often involves relatives or the family circle, contrary to what you might think. The point of view of Dr Ghada Hatem, gynecologist, founder of the Maison des femmes in Saint-Denis.
When we think of drugging someone without their knowledge, we often imagine a pill being put in a glass at a party. If the “rape drug”, GHB, is one of the cases of chemical submission, this situation is far from representing all of this violence.
Chemical submission, a phenomenon “unrecognized and largely underestimated in France”
To raise awareness among the general public and health professionals and make them better known, a warning movement has just been launched through the site. mendorspas.org and via the hashtag “#mendorspas: stop chemical submission”.
This movement aims to raise awareness of this type of violence which can affect women, men, but also children, infants or the elderly. And this in all social circles, with aggressors who are often relatives of the victims (family circle, friends, professional). These abusers use drugs and medications such as sleeping pills, sedatives, anxiolytics, antihistamines… to commit offenses or crimes.
“Chemical submission is an abuser’s best kept secret. Together, we want the public authorities and civil society to take up this real public health issue to better inform, better identify, better support“explains Caroline Darian, founder of the #mendorspas movement
Chemical submission: relatives often responsible
In the majority of cases identified in the latest national survey on chemical submission conducted by the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM), it is the close circle, professional or friendly, and in particular the family circle, particularly within of the household, who is involved on the front line. The victims are often particularly vulnerable people who can repeatedly suffer this type of attack.
“Chemical submission within the home is particularly worrying because it is part of an insidious and dangerous routine, which can have serious consequences on the health of the victims. Falls, coma, road accidents but also sleep disturbance, memory, weight loss, withdrawal syndrome and post-traumatic stress syndrome… are all reported complications that add to the attacks suffered” adds Leila Chaouachi, expert in the national survey on chemical submission to the ANSM.
The point of view of Dr Ghada Hatem, gynecologist member of the Doctissimo expert committee
“I support this initiative because I noticed two things:
- The first is that the medical profession is not sufficiently trained or aware of these issues. Physicians may see patients who describe atypical symptoms to them, which they do not understand. For example, faced with a woman, who describes in consultation intense fatigue, depression, loss of objects, the fact of no longer remembering having been to a place… it is important to prescribe the right examinations in order to detect if it would not be the victim of a chemical submission.
- The second is that it is essential to make the general public aware of this type of attack, which is still too little known.
And finally remind everyone – and in particular health professionals – that the family is unfortunately not always a place where you can feel safe.