A new tool for victims of violence. The canton of Neuchâtel opened its violence medicine center on Monday on the Pourtalès site of the Neuchâtel hospital network. This structure offers a free consultation to victims aged 16 and over and improves medico-legal care.
“An essential tool, a necessity,” proclaimed the various stakeholders present at the press conference on Monday. And they are numerous: State, police, justice, public health or even family and equality policy. The transversality of the problem also explains why it took six years after the first discussions to witness the inauguration of this violence medicine center. The mandate to manage it was given to RHNe. Sabine Illide-Boulogne, head of the women-mother-child department, explains “that it operates by appointment, from Monday to Saturday. It is made up of specialized forensic nurses. Their reports will be supervised by three doctors from the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bern. »
A welcome and attentive listening
This new entry point, in addition to those of the police, the hospital or the Savi, will allow significant progress in the care of victims according to Florence Nater, State Councilor in charge of the social cohesion. “The objectives are to be able to guarantee confidential and secure reception, on a regular basis, for all people who are victims of a situation of violence. »
The usefulness of the medico-legal report in court
The canton of Neuchâtel does not have a forensic medicine center. And it is on this precise point that the justice system and the police have emphasized the added value that this violence medicine structure should bring in establishing evidence. Marc Rémy, prosecutor and member of the public prosecutor's office, emphasizes “that in the most serious cases, the person was sent to the forensic medicine center in Lausanne. Which is not practical. From now on, it will be possible to make a report here in Neuchâtel which meets the medico-legal requirements. »
In the canton of Vaud, such a violence medicine structure has existed for many years. It appears that 81% of victims used the medical report as means of proof.
The cost of this new Neuchâtel violence medicine center amounts to 400,000 francs per year. /jpp
