How is the reception of victims who give testimony at the police station?

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A young woman hesitated for a long time before pushing open the door of the police station. He was 20 years old and, for the first time, he was going to confide in a police officer violence(New window) that his friend inflicted on him for several months: “Have you experienced violence several times or only once?“, the policewoman began.”A number of“, answered the young woman. Then, the questions followed one another:”When did the violence first start?“, “Since February 2025. And the last violence occurred on September 30, 2025.“

Currently, the couple is separated. But that day, the man surprised him on the street and attacked him again. “He laid me on the ground, he put a broom on me. Then I don’t remember anymore. He also pulled my sweater. I had bruises all over my legs“, said the victim.”Did he use any objects or weapons that day?“, continued the agent.”NO“, answered the young woman.”Afterwards, did he text or anything to discuss the facts?“, asked the policewoman.”Yes, right after. He told me he was happy with how things turned out and I had been looking for him“, “Do you save these messages?” “Yes“, assured the victim.

1 hour 30 hearings and always the same question at the end: “Do you want to file a complaint against your partner?” “Yes“, emphasized the young woman. An important first step for her who has already tried to commit suicide twice: “I took medication because of exhaustion, fear of abandonment, fear of his reaction, many things.” “So far, what has prevented you from filing a complaint?“, asked a journalist from France Télévisions.”I feel pity and fear. I’m glad I did, but I feel guilty. But I told myself that it was better for me to do it to protect myself and my family, because I live with my family“, said the victim.

Cécily Morel, peacekeeper in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), has attended training dedicated to domestic violence. He knew the extent to which these victims felt uneasy. “Perpetrators often isolate their victims in order to have more control over them. As a result, they did not dare to push open the door of the police station. They’re afraid of retribution, they’re afraid of what could happen. They often experience financial difficulties, because they do not have the means to support themselves or their families.“

It is rare that a social worker is also present inside the police station to provide assistance to them. “I am here to help you according to what I can do and what you ask for. We also have psychologists if you need to talk“, assures Nourhane Souiai, social worker at the police station – France Victimes 31. Thus, she will be able to support him throughout the procedure: “The fact that I’m not a police officer also helps lighten the mood or sometimes make the situation less dramatic. I think it’s important for people to understand us directly.“

Currently, any report of domestic violence automatically leads to a judicial investigation, even if there is no complaint from the victim. The teenage girl’s former partner will soon be summoned to respond to the allegations against him. In Haute-Garonne, 7,200 women filed complaints last year of domestic violence. This figure increased by almost 8%.