On the occasion of the Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the public prosecutor of the court of Châteauroux was the guest of France Bleu Berry to take stock of the phenomenon of domestic violence in the department. Over the year still in progress, they are sharply increasing in comparison. We can even speak of a real explosion of reports.
Sharp increase in reports
“484 procedures have been established by the gendarmerie or the police on this dispute when we had received 289 in 2020“thus specifies Agnès Auboin, an increase of almost 67%. But the prosecutor believes that this increase is probably not only due to an increase in the facts but also to the end of a certain omerta. The magistrate sees it as an effect of “improving reception conditions in investigation services, since gendarmes and police officers have been trained or are in the process of training“This makes it easier for victims to speak out. Of course all is not yet rosy. The court, in particular, suffers from a lack of human resources to provide rapid responses, but”we mobilize whatever our means“assures Agnès Auboin who, while deploring the vacancy of 2 substitute positions, is delighted to “the help of a project manager for the last four months of the year, which I hope will be renewed next year.”
Witness to save
But beware also warns the prosecutor to provide an answer we need concrete elements including medical evidence of mistreatment but also corroborating testimony hence the importance of not remaining silent in the face of domestic violence. “It is extremely important that the people around you speak so that we have elements in the procedure […] it allows me and my colleagues to determine a criminal response.“explains Agnès Auboin.
The work of justice is in any case also materialized by a increase in immediate appearances. In 2020 two procedures only had been triggered for domestic violence against twelve even before the end of 2021. Perhaps a sign, here too, that the floor is freed even if it is necessary to remain cautious about the analysis of these figures. In any case, the prosecutor believes that the care and reception of alleged victims of domestic violence has significantly improved. “There have been great efforts made by the internal security forces.” she assures.
An essential stake because “lPutting it into words, whether it is vis-à-vis an association to help victims, or vis-à-vis investigators, is extremely important.“emphasizes Agnès Auboin, who specifies that legal professionals must sometimes”to fight“with the victims in order to be able to collect complaints and legally exploitable elements as these victims sometimes seek to minimize the violence of their spouses.
Extension of safeguard measures via electronic devices
Before the conviction and the heavy penalties that can result from it, it is necessary to think about putting the alleged victim in the shelter of his violent spouse. Here too, things are progressing. Number of “Grave Danger Phones“(TGD), distributed to people living a high threat and who benefit from an ultra-simplified call for help, has been doubled from 4 to 8. There is also the anti-reconciliation bracelet, with geolocation of the violent spouse or ex-spouse. A device “more complex“recalls Agnès Auboin since it requires the agreement of the victim since, but also the decision of a judge unlike the” TGD “which falls under the attribution of the prosecution.
Nevertheless, “a BAR has already been deployed. We have other procedures under consideration.” explains the magistrate.
Finally the creation of a departmental committee, with a first meeting ten days ago will make it possible to coordinate the various actors in the fight against domestic violence. “It is extremely important.” specifies Agnès Auboin.