En Parler, the feminist association of Sandrine Rousseau, has its branch in Rouen
By Adrian Filoche
Published on
“To help talk and make it count. To accompany the word towards the filing of a complaint, for the additional help and understanding that is lacking in the waiting rooms of the police stations. These are the words chosen by the MP Sandrine Rousseau to describe The Talking Association that it was founded in 2017. Since its inception, 10 antennas were opened in France, in cities like Lyon, Lille and Paris. Since the end of 2021, a branch has opened in Rouen (Seine Maritime)run by two volunteers.
Support groups for victims of violence
“Over organize discussion groups one Wednesday per month. The goal is to free the speech of victims of sexual and gender-based violence. There is an exchange and sharing of experiences, of advice,” says Laura*, one of the two volunteers from the Rouen branch. She also recalls that the association did not aim for therapy: “The objective is to come as a complement. »
Meetings take place at the Saint-Sever neighborhood center, in a room prepared by the town hall. “People who wish to come can send us an email to ask for the days of the support groups”, says Laura. The young woman, who decided to be a volunteer because “it’s a commitment that [lui] takes to heart” explains that the people received are accompanied, according to the needs, towards legal systems. Victims can also be referred to other specialized structures, such as the Maison des Femmes.
“There is the word that has been released, but opposite, there is not perhaps the appropriate listening, testifies Marie-José Hay, the president of the association. Either people have preconceived ideas, or they haven’t understood how far the perversion can go on the body and the spirit of sexual violence. »
Since September 2022, the association has been organizing at national level videoconferences which pursue the same objective as support groups: to support victims of sexual violence and give them the opportunity to express themselves.
*The first name has been changed at his request.
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