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In September 2024, the first Maison des Femmes in the Antilles opened its doors on Saint-Martin. On the neighboring island, this unique structure offers a comprehensive care pathway for women victims of domestic violence. "The aim is to reach out to them and offer the most comprehensive care possible," explains Sybel Aidin, director of the Maison des Femmes. On the first visit to the Maison des femmes, an interview with the receptionists helps to identify the needs of the person concerned, so that the most appropriate course of action can be established. The establishment then becomes a resource center, where it is possible to meet with all the necessary professionals such as psychologists, lawyers, vocational guidance counselors and police officers. The Maison des Femmes has a partnership with the Saint-Martin gendarmerie. Every Wednesday morning, a gendarme is on hand to help those who feel the need to file a complaint. Regular yoga, sophrology and art therapy sessions are also organized.
Tailor-made support
The Maison des Femmes de Saint-Martin is open to women from Saint-Barthélemy," insists Sybel Aidin. We are also available by telephone, whether through the Maison des Femmes or the France Victimes association. "From Saint-Martin, Sybel Aidin closely follows the progress of women victims of domestic violence in Saint-Barthélemy. The France Victimes 978 association, of which she is deputy director, is the reference contact for associations on this issue. They are contacted by the gendarmerie's social worker, who keeps a record of all cases of domestic violence in the area, as well as by the judicial authorities. Thanks to this dual information, no one is forgotten," insists the lawyer by profession. It's a real step forward for the area. "For those who are unable to leave the island, Sybel also offers a service in Saint-Barthélemy. Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the legal expert is present at the medical-social center in Gustavia to "offer support that is personalized and as human as possible". With her expertise as a lawyer, Sybel Aidin can provide assistance in legal matters, for example, in preparing for a court hearing, setting up protective measures, or simply knowing one's rights. We don't set any limits," says Syveil Aidin. And the idea is to meet needs as closely as possible. "For example, she can accompany a woman to the gendarmerie to lodge a complaint if she so wishes. If there's a request for emergency accommodation, it can also be launched from her office. All the more so as the social services responsible for such matters are located in the same building.
A reassuring external face
More and more women are coming through the doors of the medical-social center to benefit from Sybel Aidin's expertise and support. Thanks to word-of-mouth, the association is now clearly identified. "Sometimes I have 6 appointments in a day. That's a huge number on the scale of Saint-Barth," emphasizes Sybel Aidin. And the fact that I'm coming from outside helps to get people talking. "Even more than elsewhere, the need for confidentiality is essential in such a small territory. It is respected with the utmost care by the teams, insists Sybel Aidin: "I'm really proud to have been able to establish contact with the people of Saint-Barth. "Every Tuesday, Sybel Aidin also offers her legal expertise to answer your questions if you need legal advice. These legal advice sessions are held as part of the Point Justice program organized by the Conseil d'accès au droit.
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Social services review domestic violence protocol
When Didier Delasse took up his new post in September, he realized that the procedure already in place for dealing with domestic violence "did not meet the expectations of victims, especially in terms of the overall organization of care for these people. "The new deputy director then set about creating a new, more appropriate protocol. First of all, he reiterated the order of intervention to be respected by the various players (social worker in the gendarmerie, France Victimes and the social service).We have also set up transmission sheets to ensure "traceability of the work carried out by each intervener, and to ensure that information is transmitted as the procedure progresses. "An on-call number will shortly be set up for the deputy director and the director - who is due to take up her post in the coming weeks, promises Benjamin Vigneron. Benjamin Vigneron, assistant to the President's cabinet, promises: they will be informed by the gendarmes as soon as a case of domestic violence is reported. Previously, the gendarmes used to contact elected representatives, such as Caroline Maurel, the president of the Social Affairs Committee, who resigned (JSB 1601). But as Didier Delasse points out, in some cases, the victims are already known to the social services: "The idea was that the person who is contacted should have a fairly detailed knowledge of the social situation of these people, so that they can provide a response adapted to the situation. "If necessary, the Collectivité "will offer an emergency accommodation solution in the immediate vicinity of the gendarmes", says Benjamin Vigneron. This new protocol is due to be presented to the elected representatives shortly, in order to reach agreement on this procedure. It is estimated that there are around forty cases of domestic violence in Saint-Barth every year.
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Useful numbers
- Gendarmes: 0590271170
- Association France Victimes: 0690378401
- Maison des femmes: 0690503131
- Point justice: 0690887949 (prefer SMS)
- 39 19: national reference number for listening to and guiding women victims of violence
