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Since 2019, domestic violence (physical or sexual) increased by +75%in the Manche department.

A staggering figure which shows both that the victims are more people asking for help when they are violated, and this in particular thanks to the freedom of speech generated by the #MeToo movement, since 2017; but also that the violencemainly against women and children (battered men representing less than 3% of victims) continue to persist within homes.

An alarming situation in rural areas

“50% of feminicides today in France take place in rural areas, and intra-family violence represents 50% of the cases for which the police and gendarmes (in rural areas) are called,” explains Céline Laisney, the departmental delegate for women's rights and gender equality.

The latter recalls that, however, “only a third of French people live in rural areas”.

Xavier Brunetière, the prefect of La Manche, also assures that, “almost six incidents of domestic violence are reported per day in La Manche, including four of domestic violence”.

What solutions to fight against violence?

According to Céline Laisney, it is not currently planned for awareness sessions on the subject of violence, or on consent, to be established in schools, in addition to the current program, which provides that children have “emotional and relational life education” courses.

The latter are, moreover, for the departmental delegate “unequally established in the establishments”.

To enable victims to become aware of what is violent or not in their relationship with others, “violence meters” have been used. printed on baguette bagsthen distributed by the prefecture to many local bakeries, such as the Jade bakery in Saint-Lô. You will find them this week when you go to get your bread there.

Local actors are also numerous to carry out awareness on the subjectand to find solutions for people who are or have been subject to violence.

Contacts to know

Created in 2010, the Saint-Lô Medical-Judicial Unit is made up of doctors (men and women, possibility of requesting a consultation with a woman), and psychologists, who receive victims of violence of all kinds, whether just after, or several months, years, after the fact.

In order to'relieve children's stressRavel, a dog trained by the Handi'chiens association, even joined the Unit teamthree years ago.

The Unit is located within the Memorial Hospital Center. The secretariat is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Contact: 02 33 06 30 78.

A Unit also exists at the Avranches-Granville hospital center, it is open every Monday and Thursday afternoon. Contact: 02 33 06 30 78.

The CCAS of Coutances also offers intra-family violence hotlinesMonday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 2 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Contact: 02 33 19 17 80 or 07 48 88 50 60.

If you are a victim or witness of violence, contact 17. Women victims of violence can also contact anonymously and free of charge the national number: 3919.

A chat also exists, on the site: arretonslesviolences.gouv.fr

Find the list of all the associations that can help you on the site: arretonslesviolences.gouv.fr

Get involved, directly or indirectly, to fight against violence

In the center of La Manche, several collectives and associations invite you to join them to fight, with them, against violence. Whether by sharing posts on social networks, participating in rallies or even getting involved in the movement on a daily basis, everyone can play a key role!

– The Women’s Rights Committee. Created in 2014, this association is aimed at the entire populationthrough actions, such as gatherings, film debates in Coutances, Hauteville-sur-Mer or Granville, or raising awareness at festivals, such as Heating in the Darkness or Les Pins Sonores.

Always with the aim of promote gender equalityand to fight against violence against women or gender minorities, the Committee intervenes in high schools who wish to carry out interventions, based on films in particular. He also supports showswe think of the gesticulated conference, “on gynecological and obstetrical violence”, by Daniela Abadi.

Many events will be organized to celebrate the association's 10th anniversary. To find out more, visit the Facebook and Instagram page: Channel Women's Rights Committee

– We All Channel. Local branch of the national collective Nous Tous, “whose objective is to put an end to sexist and sexual violence”, Nous Tous Manche was taken over in October 2024. Like the Committee above, the collective is open to people from all ages, origins, and all genders, who wish to work together for peace.

The collective's efforts will revolve around various axes in the years to come, such as awareness of gender and domestic violence, particularly in rural areas, the implementation of educational and awareness-raising actions on this subject, as well as the creation and participation in cultural events (concerts, flea markets, conferences, etc.), always with the aim of raising awareness.

Nous Tous Manche is made up of a community in which everyone can get involved in one way or another and which allows those who join it to discuss the themes mentioned above, and to create human connections.

Instagram page: noutoutes_manche Facebook page: WeAll Channel

– The LGBTI Center of Saint-Lô. The association fights against LGBTIphobic discrimination. It raises awareness and sets up hotlines, which aim to allow members of the association to meet up, to exchange with kindness and confidentiality, as well as to create social bonds.

Address of the Saint-Lô branch: 49, rue Alsace Lorraine. Facebook: Saint-Lô LGBTI Center

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