Women for Women France has commenced Phase Two of its national rollout of the Multilingual Online Resource Centre for all victims of domestic abuse in France and the professionals who support them.
After less than two years online, and thanks to national television campaigns, nation-wide public space campaigns, and highly targeted community outreach efforts, the Multilingual Online Resource Centre is attracting almost 3,000 daily users, with more than 500 daily connections of users to local services.
Sarah McGrath, CEO of Women for Women France, said:
“It has been bitter-sweet to see these enormous user numbers. We are thrilled people are accessing quality information to help them escape abuse and establish independence, but you can’t help but feel heartbroken that so many people need it”.
Outreach to new arrivals
Reaching women who are isolated, can’t access digital resources, and who don’t speak French continues to be a significant challenge for Women for Women France.
In partnership with the National Direction of Integration and Access to Nationality (DIAN) and French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) , Women for Women France is ensuring that women who arrive in France are made aware of the centralised nation-wide resource for victims of gender based violence, and women looking to reestablish their independence in France.
“We thank the Minister of the Interior for their partnership in this outreach strategy,” Sarah McGrath said.
“Our partners at DIAN and OFII understand the true nature of domestic abuse and why our strong focus on resources to reestablish independence is central to a victim’s escape, protection, and rebuilding.
“This shows the important progress being made in France in promoting coercive control as the best way to define and understand domestic abuse.”
Letting French women know we are here
Women for Women France will also be aiming to communicate to French women that the centralised resource is also available to them despite taking into account the complex needs of migrant victims.
“The Multilingual Online Resource Centre has been carefully constructed for all people in France regardless of gender, nationality, or any intersectional factor for that matter,” said Sarah.
“We want it to be a universal resource in the true sense of the term.”
New languages, new functionalities
Over the next two years the Multilingual Online Resource Centre team will implement new features to directly connect users to vital services, and will see the addition of five new languages to the 15 already available.
Women for Women France would like to thank all of its partners for making this possible.
Media
Inquires or interview requests: [email protected]
Sign up to our Press Office to receive access to our media statements and comments, as soon as they are issued. WFWF cannot comment on cases currently before the court.
If you are writing about domestic abuse, please consider including resources for victims in your article:
- Emergency services (police, ambulance, fire): 112 (24/7)
- Multilingual Online Resource Centre for victims of domestic abuse and gender-based violence: www.womenforwomenfrance.org (24/7)
- Helpline for victims of domestic abuse and gender-based violence: 3919 (24/7)
Keep up-to-date
Every two months, the Women for Women France newsletter provides information about available resources, new measures, and news concerning domestic abuse, coercive control, and migrants rights in France.
To join our community: register here.
About WFWF
Women for Women France (WFWF) is the creator and manager of the national Online Multilingual Online Resource Centre for all people confronted with domestic abuse and gender-based violence in France. Our expertise is in domestic abuse, coercive control, and migrants’ rights.
WFWF has a team of multi-disciplinary experts in France who monitor current events and laws and provide research-based insights and recommendations.