In France this Saturday, November 23, gatherings of feminist associations are demanding a comprehensive law to fight against sexist and sexual violence. And the hospital is not spared. Last April, with the hashtag #metoohopital, women, medical interns and students, denounced sexist and sexual violence. Seven months later, the victims’ words are being heard more because listening devices and awareness are evolving.
2 mins
This Saturday, several gatherings of feminist associations are demanding a comprehensive law to combat gender-based and sexual violence (SGBV). Violence that one in two female doctors say they experience during their health studies or at work, according to the National Council of the Order of Physicians.
Also readViolence against women: when the legal procedure is a new ordeal for victims
Last April, with the hashtag #metoohopital, several victims denounced the attacks they said they had suffered.
Seven months later, the observation is clear: speech is freed, but silence persists.
Facilitate sanctions
After the hashtag, it was necessary to react, so the union of Paris hospital interns adapted the system which allows it to detect cases of sexist and sexual violence. “ Based on two reports in the same department, we decided to send a questionnaire to all the interns who had been in the department within five years to take stock of the situation, since when there is a sexual assault, there is rarely has just one victim, there are often several », Explains Marine Loty, president of the union.
Also readOne in eight women victims of sexual violence before the age of 18 worldwide, according to Unicef
A questionnaire to collect testimonies, pass them on to management, and ultimately launch internal investigations. One of them, for example, led to the suspension of a pediatrician in Seine-Saint-Denis at the end of October, targeted by two reports for inappropriate gestures and suspicion of sexual assault. “ These two people agreed to testify to management in a non-anonymous manner and this may have actually led to the suspension », Rejoices the president of the union.
A freedom of speech which facilitates the rapid taking of sanctions and which also reflects awareness at the highest level, believes Marine Loty: “ Management took up the matter. The dean supported us and I think that since MeToo, there has also been an awakening of awareness which means that reports are believed and taken into account to protect people. »
Other people do not feel like denouncing, filing a complaint
Ilona Denis, president of the National Federation of Nursing Students
The union sent questionnaires to 48 Parisian hospital departments after reports of harassment and assault.