Toulouse: the gendarmes train elected officials to identify domestic violence
Faced with domestic violence, elected officials are often an important interlocutor. The Haute-Garonne gendarmerie group offers them training. A first in France.
Studious atmosphere at the Courrège barracks in Toulouse. A lieutenant-colonel deciphers the complex mechanism of domestic violence. “We must beware of prejudices and stereotypes”, warns the officer. The forty interlocutors listen, take notes, sometimes ask questions.
Among these “students”, many elected officials, representatives of the municipal police or social centers of the communes of the Toulouse conurbation. The Haute-Garonne gendarmerie group had the idea for this practical and concrete training after meetings with elected officials. “We see 200 acts of domestic violence each month. During our discussions with elected officials, we found that the majority was unaware of the reality of this problem, explains Colonel Wargnier. Many believe that this does not concern them directly. The proper numbers do the opposite. This violence affects all municipalities, all social backgrounds, ”warns the colonel.
Elected officials are often on the front line to identify and identify difficulties. “Some victims will never dare go through the doors of a police station. You have to be able to listen to them, help them, guide them. Elected officials can provide these answers ”, judge the gendarmes.
This awareness, which is based in particular on a method of reflex analysis called “REAGIR”, (Looking for, Listening, Accompanying, Gendarmerie, Social workers, Networks) must in particular help elected officials in identifying the most painful unspecified cases and must facilitate their orientation. This awareness should help elected officials identify cases and facilitate their orientation. “They will be all the more effective if they know who to contact, comment on and then get feedback on the treatment,” said the colonel.
This training, a first in France, will be developed throughout the Haute-Garonne. Before being taken up at the national level? This would demonstrate its interest and effectiveness.