What is the “hardness meter” seen on bakery bags almost everywhere in France?

Several prefectures have announced the distribution of these prevention tools on the occasion of the international day to combat violence against women.

When buying a baguette, you may have seen green and red decorations printed on the bag. This violence measuring tool is increasingly being distributed in France ahead of the International Day Against Violence Against Women, which is held on Tuesday, November 25. On this occasion, several communities announced the distribution of bread bags displaying tools to prevent domestic violence. This happened in Doubs, where 165,000 bags of bread were printed, or in Haut-Rhin, where 50,000 copies were distributed, according to the prefecture.

These gradual, colorful rules describe different levels of relationships through 23 typical situations. In the green zone, signs of a healthy, respectful relationship: your partner “respect your decision”, “Believe in yourself” or even “Make sure you agree on what you are doing together”. In yellow and orange, vigilance is necessary, because certain attitudes already constitute violence: your partner “blackmail you”, “search your text” or “isolate yourself from your family and loved ones”. The one in red, the situation is dangerous, you must protect yourself and ask for help. This is the case when your partner “threaten you”, “hit you” Or “forcing you to have sex”.

On the back, the “violentometer” brings to mind the definition of consent: “The fact of giving conscious, free and explicit consent at a particular moment to a particular situation.” The telephone platform number for listening, information and guidance for victims of gender-based and sexual violence, 3919, accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, was also withdrawn.

This tool was developed in 2018 by the observatories of violence against women in Seine-Saint-Denis and Paris, with the association En avant tous. It is inspired by models developed in South America. The initial goal was to “raising awareness among young women about domestic violence through the massive distribution of such tools during events (such as Solidays) and in Ile-de-France secondary schools”commemorates the center of the struggle against inequality and discrimination based on gender Hubertine Auclert, who also participated in its development.

After first being distributed to high schools in the Ile-de-France region in 2019, the tool has been very successful and is used by many institutions. “The ‘hardness meter’ is now aimed at everyone, regardless of gender or age”explains Paris city hall. According to him, more than 150 communities have distributed it. It has also been translated into 13 languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Chinese, Farsi, Corsican, Catalan, and Japanese.

Based on this success, the “violentometer” was adapted to other situations, especially medical fatphobia, by the Gras Politique association, or even to perpetrators of domestic violence, to raise their awareness, by the Nord department.