Last year, 536 incidents of domestic violence were observed by the gendarmes in the Territory of Belfort. This represents a 44% increase. In 2020, they had already faced a 57% increase in the department. In contrast, victims still have so much difficulty testifying. Still in the gendarmerie zone, there were 163 complaints filed, which represents a drop of 3%.
In the largest municipalities of the Territory, the police, for their part, note stable figures: 337 facts observed (-1%) and 243 complaints filed (-2%). Here too, the lack of free speech worries the authorities.
“Despite the incentives, the medical support, many victims refuse to file a complaint or even to make a statement, which poses a lot of problems for us to prosecute the perpetrators of this violence”recognizes the director of public security, Cédric Richardet.
Measures to help victims
However, several measures have been taken to support the victims. 79% of Territory police officers have already received training on domestic violence. A social worker position has been created. The association Solidarité femmes, or the order of doctors work in coordination with the police. A confidentiality area is also being set up at the Belfort police station to accommodate victims.
A home for violent men
For the past year, an experiment has also been underway in Belfort: accommodation for perpetrators of violence. “The objective is to prevent the woman who is the victim of violence and the children who leave the family homeexplains the prefect Jean-Marie Girier. On a voluntary basis, they are cared for for several months and benefit from psychological and social monitoring. And often, this is accompanied by addiction treatment.