Reims: a shelter for women victims of violence, "all professionals in one place"

This Monday, June 28, the very first Maison des femmes in the region opens its doors in the Chemin-Vert district of Reims. Objective: to bring together on the same site all the professionals who help women victims of violence and their children.

"There, in front of this window, we will put a veil to make it more intimate," says Nazha Chtany. The director of Mars, the association for helping victims of the Marne, is fine-tuning the final adjustments with her team. The place smells of fresh paint. Several rooms are still empty. But the human warmth is already being felt. With a broad smile on her lips, the manager sees the realization of a project that her association has been carrying out for several months: the opening of a Women's Center in Reims.

Located in the Chemin-Vert district, at n°10 Allée des Pervenches, this place will welcome all women victims of violence. "Whether it's sexual, domestic, intra-family or psychological violence such as harassment," says the director. Last year, her association mainly received women abused by their spouse or ex-spouse. Nearly a thousand have asked for their help.

"All goodwill in one place"

"The objective of this Women's House, explains Nazha Chtany, is to facilitate their care, to be as efficient as possible by bringing together in one place all the professionals who usually intervene, all the goodwill who want to help these women and their children." The association was inspired by the first Women's House created in Saint-Denis, at the entrance to the hospital, where the care of women victims of violence is medical, psychological, social and legal. The premises were found for them by the Foyer Rémois.

"Before, a woman victim of violence went to the premises of our association and was told to go to the social worker, then to the university hospital, then to the court, before coming back to see us. Of course, if there is too much steps, too many places, we lose her, underlines the director. Hence the idea of ​​this unique place with always the same person at the reception."

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A socio-judicial follow-up...

A social worker, Anaïs Carvenant, will take on this role of coordinator. She will receive these women and listen to them. "It is important for the liberalization of speech that there are not too many interlocutors, so that they can have a landmark, know who they are talking to", observes the young woman.

"Case by case", she will take care of their socio-judicial follow-up, will make an appointment for her with a lawyer, a social worker or a psychologist. A meeting that will also take place at the Maison des femmes. These professionals will be there on a regular basis.

... and soon medical

In a second step, health professionals should join the women's house: midwife, gynecologist and medical examiner. The association works with the Reims University Hospital to offer medical assistance to these women who, too often, neglect this aspect. "We realized that women who were victims of violence did not take care of their health, were not going to see a gynecologist, insists Nazha Chtany. These are invisible patients, we must lift this brake and offer medical care, but also do prevention, talk about contraception, abortion and sex education ."

The second floor of the house will be devoted to this medical follow-up. The Regional Health Agency must agree to finance the project. "We hope that the CHU team will be able to join us at the start of the school year in September, but we preferred to open anyway while waiting because there is an emergency. We are also waiting for other funding, from Grand Reims in particular. ."

Discussion groups and workshops

On the first floor, several partners will take possession of the place in turn, such as the drug addict care reception center (CAST) "for the care of all addictions" or the reception and support center for people prostitutes (CAAPP). Paroles de parents will support families in crisis or breakdown.

The artists of La Boussole will offer art therapy workshops to women and their children. Other workshops with a visual artist and a sophrologist will also be on the program. "Anyone who wants to join this project is welcome." The call is launched.

The women's house is open to the public on Mondays from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and from Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Its address: 10 Allee des Pervenches.