In Compiègne, in the city center park, Parc Songeons, a bench has been repainted red. “The color of blood shed by women victims of violence,” underlines Anne Faburel, president of the Information Center on the Rights of Women and Families (CIDFF 60). Away from the hustle and bustle of the kindergarten, below in the scent garden, the red bench was inaugurated this Monday. The CIDFF 60, the Samu Social 60 and the municipal social action center (CCAS) have decided to dedicate a place in tribute to feminicides and abused women this November 25, the international day to combat violence against women.
“This bench has several functions. It’s a place where we can relax, calmly, reflect, think but also get information,” explains Sandrine De Figueiredo, deputy mayor in charge of CCAS. On the file, a plaque was affixed with the emergency call number for women victims of gender-based violence, 3919, as well as the names of partner associations which offer legal and psychological advice, support, and to emergency shelter. “It's not a bench like any other, it's quite a symbol,” says Alexis Derache, president of Samu Social 60. “A woman can sit there calmly with her children, but it can also be a trigger . »
On average, before a woman who is a victim of violence decides to leave her home, she has already filed seven complaints. “Our association has eleven professionals, lawyers, integration counselors, psychologists… We know that the journey of these women is long towards returning to freedom,” continues Anne Faburel. They have lost their integrity, their self-esteem has been massacred. Their children were traumatized. I think of Geneviève Pélicott, of her fight. Shame has changed sides, we have to thank him for that. This bench is there to encourage women to speak. »
The Oise still has few red benches. “A red bench was inaugurated in Montataire last year, these actions must tend to develop,” insists Alexis Derache. There should be one in every city. Compiègne has always been an innovative territory. It was here, in 2013, that we opened our day center for these women before opening others in Beauvaisis and Creillois. » The municipality has also delegated a social worker to the police station who supports women wishing to file a complaint. The first red bench in France was inaugurated on November 25, 2017 in Corsica, at the initiative of the Women in Solidarity committee, following the femicide of Savannah Torrenti in 2016.
