“If there is the slightest doubt, regardless of the violence, you should not hesitate to come”: the Maison des femmes de Montpellier opens its doors

Une équipe est accueillante et à l'écoute. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

The Maison des Femmes Agnès McLaren opened its doors on Monday, July 1st to welcome and support women who are victims of violence 

When you push open the small gate on Avenue de la Pompignane, the atmosphere is immediately reassuring. It must be said that the place was designed so that women who are victims of violence can find a peaceful place where they can be supported according to their needs.

The Maison des Femmes Agnès McLaren, whose patron is Alexandra Lamy, thus discreetly opened its doors in Montpellier – due to the political context – this Monday, July 1st.

The building is tastefully furnished, the decoration is welcoming, the garden is full of flowers, the furniture still has some labels… And the team is smiling, welcoming and caring. It is in this setting that suffering can be expressed with the aim of finding a way out of a situation of violence.

carefully furnished rooms. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Rooms equipped for medical care. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

For women who are victims of violence, no matter which one

"It's a resource place which allows each woman to be received and listened to and then be able to be guided as she is. #39;hears”, explains Dr. Marion Garbay, gynecologist and coordinator of the structure. Here each woman can be taken care of as a whole.

On site, medical secretary, social worker, gynecologist, midwife, psychologist, lawyer, addictologist, people who take care of children… will take turns in order to ;support as a whole the women who want it. 

"There are different forms of violence: physical, sexual… When in doubt, no matter the frequency or intensity of the violence , you shouldn't hesitate", adds the doctor. "What's important is to push the door.& ;quot;

Support for every situation

– Transversal support for all women victims of violence: marital, intra-family, sexual, sexist, administrative… with coordinated monitoring at the medical level, but also psychological, legal, social, assistance with reconstruction, reintegration…

– Pregnant women: "Pregnancy can be a very serious factor risk, it can be a sign of violence within a couple. This is the moment that can trigger violence or make it worse", explains Dr. Garbay. The woman finds herself in a situation of fragility and vulnerability, but it is also the time when she is most closely monitored at the medical level. "Which allows us to detect violence and help them."

– Contraception and abortion: advise victims of violence on suitable contraception and organize abortions.

– Female genital mutilation: complete support can be considered with consultation, reconstructive surgery…

– No accommodation: In the Pompignane house, there is no no accommodation possible, but depending on the situation, women may be directed to emergency accommodation.

Facilitate the journey and create a collective

You just have to walk through the door to be helped. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

A few minutes after the official opening of this house like no other, a woman dares to walk through the door. She says she wants "just to find out". She is welcomed into a small office where she will tell her story, pouring out streams of words, without stop, giving details of what she suffered. She has already sought help but doesn't know where to turn. "We facilitate the journey which can be complicated", underlines Aline Faucherre who is at the origin of the project and also president of the CIDFF , the Information Center on the Rights of Women and Families. 

"And we focus on the collective, by organizing discussion groups or meetings, so that women can escape from loneliness, shame, guilt and can share their experience with another  understanding."

A unique co-construction

Bringing together suitable professionals in the same place to simplify the steps: that was the initial idea. Inspired by the arrival of Ghada Hatem, gynecologist, founder of the first Women's House located in Saint-Denis during a meeting in Montpellier, the creation of the Montpellier structure took two years thanks to a partnership "a unique co-construction" between the CHU and Pr Pierre Boulot and the association which protects women.  "There is real utility and complementary strengths", underlines Aline Faucherre, not a little proud of the result.

Agnès McLaren, first female doctor at the University of Montpellier

Agnès McLaren (1837-1913) was, in 1878, the first woman doctor to graduate from the Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier.  Scottish and suffragist, she fought for women's rights: & ;nbsp;recognized for her help to Indian women who could not be treated by a male doctor, she also campaigned against the white slave trade and for women's right to vote.  ;

An inauguration in the presence of Alexandra Lamy, the godmother of the place. City of Montpellier – Frédéric Damerdji

Alexandra Lamy as godmother and a discreet inauguration

The actress Alexandra Lamy is godmother of the Maison des femmes de Montpellier. She participated in the first inauguration on June 27 in the presence of only the team given the political context.

The actress confided: "I am very honored to be the ambassador of the women's house. Since my meeting with Ghada Hatem, I have supported this project, a unique place for women victims of violence, a medico-social structure where health, legal and justice professionals support women victims of violence. In France each year 93,000 women are victims of rape or attempted rape, 220,000 victims of domestic violence."

"Dozens of women's centers are opening thanks to our caregivers, volunteers, and all those who are involved in the work; support for these women to help them rebuild themselves physically and psychologically."

This house with green shutters depends on the university hospital but is physically located outside the hospital establishment. It thus allows us not to enter a place that is too institutional. Which is reassuring and without obligation for those who choose to come: a place of respite that invites people to come and talk, confide, and find help.

"Each time, we will be able to assess the danger and propose solutions", specifies the founder. But each will remain master of their own destiny. 

The Women's House is located at 1065 avenue de la Pompignane in Montpellier. It is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tel. 04 67 33 48 83 Email: secretariat-mdf@chu-montpellier.fr Bus line 16 Saint-Jean stop.