Thursday, November 25, the Bretonneau hospital officially inaugurated the Maison des femmes de Tours. This structure, already open since June, aims to support women and children victims of all types of violence. In this space, doctors, nurses, psychologists and associations work hand in hand to allow women to free their words and follow a path adapted to the trauma suffered.
123 women supported in five months
Since it opened five months ago, the Maison des femmes has already received 123 women victims of violence. This structure, discreetly installed at the entrance of the hospital, was designed to go there discreetly without having to undergo a feeling of shame or fear. The care is then very fast via the doctors and nurses present on site or associations. A long time of listening and discussion is then given to each woman, which is essential for Marie-Paule Carrey-Le Bas, director of France Victime 37. “We are there to support them, to reassure them, to listen to them. We spend a lot of time listening because what these women need is to be listened to, to be believed, before being taken care of ”.
– Jean Rinaud
An accessible treatment path
Regarding the organization of the structure, the Maison des Femmes offers a reception with a doctor present for consultations with victims, associations present for follow-up and legal advice (for example to file a complaint) and a space reserved for children. One way to guide these women via an immediately accessible treatment path. ” The women who come here have complete freedom in how to unload their trauma. They can come for simple advice, be referred to a psychologist at the clinic and therefore come back more regularly, or simply make an appointment with an association for legal support. Above all, we do not want to create a form of stress but rather reassure them as soon as they open the door to the structure to provide them with the best possible support. “, insists Pauline Saint-Martin, head of the forensic institute of the CHRU of Tours.
Support for children
A house that is not only reserved for women since it also takes care of children often victims in spite of themselves of the violence suffered by their mother, violence that can have serious repercussions according to Justine Canales, doctor at the Maison des Femmes. “We must have a vigilant eye on these children who sometimes grow up in the midst of this violence. The objective is to screen them to ensure that they are not directly victimized, which could then lead to serious psycho-trauma “
A structure which should grow in the coming months with the arrival of three new employees, including a midwife to manage the problems of female genital mutilation.
The Women’s House
– Open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
– Contact: 02 47 47 46 00
– Mail: [email protected]