This is a unique device in the Hérault gendarmerie. At the Castelnau-le-Lez company, which covers a large area around Montpellier, a group specializing in domestic violence was created in October 2023. Objectives: to help the victim and result in a criminal response as quickly as possible .
It is a unique cell of its kind, within the Hérault gendarmerie. In the Castelnau-le-Lez company, which covers a large area around Montpellier, eight soldiers are now assigned to handling situations of domestic violence: the “VIF group”. Their activity mainly concerns domestic violence, but also violence targeting children. These specialized gendarmes are spread across several brigades: Castelnau-le-Lez, Jacou-Clapiers, Saint-Georges-d'Orques and Saint-Jean-de-Védas. Objective: improve the care of victims and speed up procedures, from filing a complaint to the criminal response.
“From a delay of several weeks, we went to a few days”
Based at the Saint-Georges-d'Orques brigade, Warrant Officer Jérémy Sarrazin is part of this group created in October 2023 at the initiative of Lieutenant-Colonel Vanessa Demaria, who heads the company. “We have a lot of cases of domestic violence. We had to find a solution for rapid treatment of the victims and prevent the recurrence of the facts. And thus, avoid a potential tragedy. From a delay of several weeks, we moved to a few days, or even a day”he explains alongside adjutant Mélanie Ausset, who is also involved in this project. “Regularly, bans on contact between the perpetrator and the victim are issued, as well as referrals to the public prosecutor's office. This is a satisfaction for the person who suffers the violence, but also for us. We return to the basis of our job.”
“In 80% of cases, the consequences are immediate. The victim is contacted again after a day or two. Measures are taken. This allows, for example, the victim to regain peace of mind until the divorce is finalized. “, adds Captain Benoit Poidevin, deputy to the company commander.
In one year of existence, the VIF group has established privileged contacts with the family division of the Montpellier public prosecutor's office, “very responsive”as well as with the CHU's forensic medicine service, responsible for observing and evaluating physical injuries and psychological trauma in terms of harm. Enough to considerably streamline business processing. Collaboration with the gendarmerie social worker is also very important.
GPS tracking, phone hacking: new forms of harassment
In addition to beatings and death threats, violence against women can also take the form of harassment or espionage. Such as the use of GPS location beacons, for example placed on a car. “We also encounter cases of phone hacking to recover calls and messages. This is something that is becoming more and more common”reveal the gendarmes of the VIF group. These actions are subject to criminal classifications: “attack on privacy by capture or recording” or “attack on the secrecy of correspondence.” Suspicion of adultery, particularly through information found on social networks, is often the cause of violence. “One respondent told us that his wife was not allowed to communicate with other men.” The gendarmes recall the existence of the “Mémo de vie” platform (memo-de-vie.org) which allows victims of violence to record online, as in a diary, elements of their experiences, photos, documents , but also to find contacts to find help.
Up to three police custody on the same day
That day, at the Saint-Georges-d'Orques brigade, a man had been in police custody since the day before. He had been wanted for a year, after fleeing following domestic violence in the presence of a very young child. Registered in the wanted persons file, he was identified during a police check in Montpellier. The victim was immediately informed of his arrest.
For the VIF group, new business is a daily occurrence. “We had up to three police custody on the same day at the Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone brigade, followed by three referrals to the public prosecutor’s office”reveal adjutants Sarrasin and Ausset. “Today, we encourage victims to speak, to file a complaint. Speech is freer. This is also why we have more reports of offenses.” Experimented for a year, the VIF group of the Castelnau-le-Lez gendarmerie company was protected last October. In twelve months, he handled 379 procedures. 256 suspects were placed in police custody, 135 were given a free hearing.
Missions lasting three to six months
The gendarmes of the VIF group of the Castelnau-le-Lez company carry out missions of 3 to 6 months, before being replaced by other soldiers. “It is a morally heavy activity, because we deal with violence and rape every day, sometimes involving minors”explain warrant officers Sarrazin and Ausset. The gendarmes assigned to this work are all judicial police officers. Some, like Warrant Officer Ausset, have undergone training in the “Mélanie” hearing, this protocol specifically for collecting the words of child victims or witnesses of violence. “A child who witnesses a scene of violence is automatically considered a victim of this violence”recalls the adjutant.
