Calling emergency services: police, ambulance
In an emergency, call 17 for the police or 112 for emergency medical services. Their role is to…
Domestic abuse can have significant effects on your health. In France, you can receive health care no matter what your financial situation is, and regardless of your residency rights.
Verified by La Maison des Femmes on 22/09/2023
Regardless of the nature of the abuse you experience, it can have a considerable impact on your health in the long term. Even if it’s last on your priorities, please try to remember to prioritise your health. In France, you can receive health care even if you do not have residency rights or access to money.
If you need urgent medical attention, in the event of an injury or sexual assault, for example, please call the emergency services.
If your safety is in danger, you can ask the police to intervene.
In the event of a serious injury, call the emergency medical services. They will send a team trained in first aid to help you.
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, you will receive medical treatment even if:
you are not registered in the state health insurance system called “Protection universelle maladie (PUMA)”, sometimes also known as “sécurité sociale”.
If you are injured and wish to go straight to hospital, you can consult this directory.
Several directories allow you to search for a doctor near you, be it a general practitioner or a specialist.
Even if you are covered by the “sécurité sociale”, not all doctors have the same rates.
If you have experienced sexual assault, please do not feel ashamed. You are not responsible for what you have experienced in any way.
It is strongly recommended that you follow the advice below to protect your health:
See a doctor or go to a hospital as soon as possible to be examined and treated. It is recommended that you go to a specialist medical service called a "unité médico-judiciaire (UMJ)" near you. Their teams are specially trained to gather evidence of sexual assault. Some “UMJ” only see patients by appointment: call them before visiting.
The doctor will be able to provide you with emergency care:
It is also recommended to file a complaint to report the violence to the French justice system.
When submitting a complaint, the police officer who attends to you may make an appointment for you at the “UMJ”.
If a healthcare professional’s behaviour triggers fear, shame or guilt in you, it probably means that their expertise on gendered violence is limited and this may put you at risk.
If this is the case, don't hesitate to consult a different healthcare professional. You can change doctors whenever you want without having to justify yourself.
It can take time to recover from domestic abuse. It can have significant social, physical and psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress that requires the care of specialist professionals. Even if it’s last on your priorities, please try to remember to prioritise your mental health. If possible, talk to a professional about what you have experienced. They can help you verbalise your feelings and support you on your journey to recovery.
If you are suffering and have suicidal thoughts, please remember that you are not alone. Professionals can be reached at any time to help you get through this.
A psychiatrist is a doctor specialised in psychiatry. They may prescribe medication if they think it is necessary.
Psychiatric consultations are sometimes reimbursed by the “sécurité sociale”.
Several directories allow you to search for a psychiatrist near you:
A psychologist is a professional with a university degree in psychology. They have no medical training. They can support you with psychotherapy.
Several directories allow you to search for a psychologist near you. Doctolib allows you search professionals that speak your language.
If the behaviour of a psychiatrist or psychologist triggers fear, shame or guilt in you, it probably means that their expertise in gendered violence is limited and this may put you at risk.
If this is the case, don't hesitate to consult a different one. You can change your psychiatrist or psychologist whenever you want without having to justify yourself.
In France, there are many services that can support you, give you advice, and assist you with procedures and paperwork. Most of them are free of charge.
“Comede” is an organisation that helps immigrants and refugees to have access to health care.
This telephone counselling service is intended for people facing all types of violence and those who support them.
“Associations” are organisations that offer a range of services.
While the utmost care has gone into providing you with the most accurate and up to date information, this page is not intended to replace legal or professional advice. Laws and procedures change regularly so it is important to consult qualified professionals.
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