A week to raise awareness of violence against women in Pau

An expected increase

Although the official figures will not be revealed until November 25, an increase is expected. The association Du Côté des Femmes, based in the 14-Juillet district, welcomed 730 women in 2023. “Numbers which are constantly increasing,” admits Emmanuelle Descoubes, the director. Mai-Lan Tarnier, adjutant, deputy commander of the Family Protection House, also notes a “30% increase in hearings of minors” in the gendarmerie services.

“From year to year, the network has strengthened. Today, we are able to mobilize quickly to support victims and offer them solutions,” explains Marie-Laure Mestelan, assistant in charge of community life, the fight against discrimination and neighborhood coordination.

On November 26, a day dedicated to local professionals is organized at the Foirail, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be able to train, free of charge, in the care of victims of violence within the couple. Women's aid associations, hospital staff, police officers and Department services will show how they work. “We already have 80 registered out of the 100 places available,” said Marie-Laure Mestelan, delighted with the success of this operation.

Registration is done with the Du Côté Des Femmes association (05 59 06 87 70 or [email protected])

Round table at the courthouse

Wednesday November 27, from 5:15 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Pau Court of Appeal is organizing a round table at the courthouse. “It will be hosted by students from the conservatory who will interpret the journey of three or four women who have suffered violence. The subject will be quite sensitive, which is why we prohibit it for those under 16,” explained Renaud Chiron, chief of staff of the attorney general of the court of appeal.

Two exhibitions will be to discover. In Lescar, “Change your gaze” has been installed since November 4 and until Tuesday December 31 at the Belvédère, located in the heart of the historic town of Lescar. These black and white photos focus “on people feeling different.” At the André-Labarrère media library, “They say no! » will be presented until Friday, November 30 by the Du Côté Des Femmes association. A question box will collect questions from the public.

Tuesday, November 30, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Pièce jointe company will perform sketches in the streets of the city center (halles, rue Serviez, places Clemenceau and Reine Marguerite) to raise awareness about domestic violence and street harassment. These services will be accompanied and supervised by professionals from the Information Center on the Rights of Women and Families and by Emilie Pelissier, delegate of the prefect for women's rights.

And so that victims can find answers all over the city, during this week, violence meters – this ruler reminding us of what constitutes violence or not – and flyers listing emergency numbers will decorate the recycled wood trees, installed in Square George V (Aragon), place du Foirail and in the market halls from November 25 to 1^is December. The City invites anyone who needs one (for themselves or for someone close to them) to take these decorations and use them.

The entire program can be found on the city’s website: pau.fr

“The Spanish example”

In 2004, an organic law called “comprehensive protection against domestic violence”, linking prevention, protection of victims and sentencing of attackers, caused the number of victims to fall in Spain. “Feminicides have fallen by 40%,” recalled Marie-Laure Mestelan, who revealed that she had worked with a Spanish magistrate on the subject. This is how the “Spanish example” will be at the heart of this awareness week.
Tuesday November 26, at 7 p.m., the Atelier du Neez, in Jurançon, is organizing a conference on Spanish feminism in the presence of Jean-Marie Flores. There will then be a broadcast of the film “Compañeras”, in the presence of director Dominique Gautier.
This same day, at 8:30 p.m., the Méliès de Pau will program, at the usual rates, the film “The Nevenka Affair” by Iciar Bollain, inspired by real events and which reveals the first case of political #MeToo in Spain.