Where to find English-language help services for victims of domestic violence in France

"Non-French women were already at a far greater disadvantage. This ranges from being far from habitual support networks such as family and friends etc, language difficulties, an increased risk of economic and administrative dependence including visa dependency. There is also a fear of being separated from their children, and a higher risk of having a very limited understanding of the French system and support services."

"People who have a French-speaking partner are often used to leaving admin to them, and can find it very daunting to be suddenly dealing with French legal and administrative services alone. Those whose residency status is linked to their partner - eg a spouse visa - face extra pressure, although in fact divorce or separation does not lead to the loss of residency rights."

"The charity offers advice on a number of topics from the French laws on divorce and child custody to signposting services that offer an English language or interpreter option. People in immediate danger from a violent partner should call the police on 17, or the European emergency services number on 112."

France experiences persistent domestic violence, with particular challenges for non-French speaking women who face compounded vulnerabilities. Non-French women encounter isolation from support networks, language barriers, economic dependence, visa restrictions, and fear of child separation. Many lack understanding of French legal systems and victim rights. Women for Women France offers multilingual services addressing these gaps, providing guidance on divorce laws, child custody, and connecting victims to English-language or interpreter-supported services. Emergency assistance is available through police (17), European emergency services (112), or the domestic violence hotline (3919). Domestic violence fatalities in France increased from 96 in 2023 to 107 in 2024.

Read at www.thelocal.fr