In Guadeloupe “intra-family violence is still too often hidden”, denounces Caroline Calbot, the public prosecutor of Pointe-à-Pitre, in an interview in Guadeloupe la 1ère. “The shame must change sides,” says the woman who knows the issue of violence against women well. The opportunity on the eve of November 25, 2024 to take stock of all the aid systems that exist in Guadeloupe.
When we talk about domestic violence (FIV) in Guadeloupe, with Caroline Calbot, the public prosecutor of Pointe-à-Pitre, her voice becomes vehement and we feel her commitment to this fight. Too often in Guadeloupe, this violence is hidden or denounced well after. Sometimes too late.
Look at the images taken from this video surveillance which dates from October 2024. They show a man trying to strangle his partner in front of his child. Be careful, these images may be shocking.
Video surveillance of domestic violence – October 2024
•
©Guadeloupe the 1st
Caroline Clabot broadcasts them during hearings to raise awareness of the reality of domestic violence.
We must make an impression. We have to realize what it is to all fight against it.
Caroline Calbot, Public Prosecutor
Caroline Calbot, public prosecutor of Pointe-à-Pitre, denounces violence that is too often hidden
•
©Fabrice Fanfant and Lydia Querin – Guadeloupe the 1st
This Monday, November 25, 2024, the specialized center of the court will inaugurate a waiting room for victims of this violence who will be able to wait for their hearing, in a secure manner, out of sight of the spouse indicted. The strategic location of this space near the entrance to the court and behind the main courtroom of the palace aims to limit the risk of chance encounters between victims and defendants, an important measure to preserve them.
•
©Tribunal 971
This system, financed by the victim support service of the Ministry of Justice (SADJAV), is coupled with the establishment of specialized VIF hearings from February 2025.
Victims can already benefit from confidential interviews with the victim support office (BAV) run by the GUADAV France victims association which is available at the specialized VIF center of the Pointe-à-Pitre court. There may also be the allocation of a serious danger telephone which allows the victim, when they feel in danger, to be geolocated and to be able to call the police directly for intervention. There are around thirty in Guadeloupe.
Caroline Calbot, public prosecutor of Pointe-à-Pitre on the systems in Guadeloupe
•
©Fabrice Fanfant and Lydia Querin – Guadeloupe the 1st
Great efforts have also been made by the department and the State. Thus, the four social workers at the police station and gendarmerie were able to be maintained. The Department was also able to structure the VIF network. A very large Women's House project in Guadeloupe is in preparation, like what already exists in Reunion.
France
