Police and justice
You might be feeling hesitant about involving the French justice system after being subjected to domestic abuse. However, making an official complaint can be a crucial step that can help you later. For example, to obtain a protection order, in family court matters, for your residency rights or even to find housing. We will walk you through it step by step.
Below you will find resources that will guide you step by step in your dealings with the police and the French judicial system.
Seeking justice can be a difficult process in France because there are frequent issues and dysfunctions, and many discriminatory attitudes present. However, it is an essential step if you want to assert your rights as a victim of domestic violence with many public services.
It is important to gather evidence to support the facts you report, whatever form of violence you have suffered: psychological, physical, sexual, economic or even administrative.
In recent years, police services have become better at dealing with domestic and family violence. But there are still issues and discriminations present within the system that we will try to help you overcome.
We will guide you step by step.
Testimonials
It took me a long time to ask for help. As I didn’t have a visa, I thought that I had no right to be protected by the police. My ex made death threats against me, I knew I was in serious danger, but I was very afraid that the police would put me in prison or deport me from France when they discovered that I was undocumented. I ended up finding an association for victims of violence near my home that helped me. In the end, everything went well at the police station. The investigation is still ongoing and I really don't understand why it's taking so long, but I'm happy I did it.
When I went to the police station to file a complaint, I was offered to file a “main courante”. I didn't know what it was, and since I don't speak French well, I didn't dare ask the question. Two years later, I still had no news from the police and I was wondering where the investigation was going when a friend explained to me that the “main courante” does not lead to any action and that instead I should have made a “plainte”. She advised me to go back to the station, but I don't want to go through all that again. I regret that I did not know this earlier and that the police did not explain the difference to me.
Unfortunately, I suffer a lot of racism in France. It's not easy here when you're a black woman and you wear a hijab. I have felt a lot of contempt since I arrived here. I was never taken seriously. I decided to no longer accept this racism and to defend myself. I contacted the Defender of Rights to report the discrimination I suffered in my search for work and housing. I now volunteer for an association on weekends to help other women of colour in France to fight against daily microaggressions and exclusion.