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To mark International Women’s Rights Day on Friday 8 March, Vitaprotech wishes to reaffirm its commitment to guaranteeing real equality between men and women in the workplace. On a day-to-day basis, we are committed to creating the right conditions for fair treatment by applying a zero-tolerance policy to discrimination, as well as fair and equitable pay for all.

On this occasion, we are delighted to have supported Solidarité Femmes 13, an association that provides support for women and their children who are victims of domestic or sexual violence in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, which has benefited from a donation to maintain their much-needed activity.

Sophie PIORO, Director of Solidarité Femmes 13, agreed to answer our questions about the association and the importance of the issues it tackles.

• Could you briefly describe Solidarité Femmes 13 and your role within it?

Founded in 1976, Solidarité Femmes 13 supports women and their children who are victims of domestic and/or sexual violence in the Bouches-du-Rhône département. Today, we are a leading association in the Bouches-du-Rhône department for combating domestic and sexual violence.
We operate exclusively in the Marseille and Aix-en-Provence courts. Our professional team of 46 employees is split between Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Istres and Port de Bouc.

Solidarité femmes 13 is involved in a number of initiatives supported by the public authorities, and is also accredited as a social and medico-social establishment. We are part of the Fédération Nationale Solidarité Femmes, which operates the national helpline number 3919.

As Director for over three years, my role is to manage the teams and develop the organisation, which means forging numerous partnerships with associations, institutions and businesses, as well as managing fundraising and diversifying our sources of funding: private, public and general public.

To make a donation: https://solidaritefemmes13.org/faire-un-don/

• What are the association’s objectives and what actions are it taking?

We have three main missions:

1. To provide help: reception, guidance and follow-up for women who are victims of domestic and/or sexual violence, either as adults or as children, as well as for children and teenagers who are victims of domestic violence;
2. to help put an end to this violence;
3. to help change laws and attitudes so that the problems of domestic and sexual violence are recognised and taken into account by society.

To carry out these missions, we work with two types of public:

1. Women and children who are victims of domestic and/or sexual violence
   Reception, listening, guidance: 3250 women and children received in 2022
   Accommodation: 74 integration and emergency accommodation places
   Housing: support for 84 victims on the road to independent housing
   Clinical psychology and art therapy: 502 psychological interviews with female victims of domestic violence, 346 for sexual violenceProfessionals working with female and child victims :
   Awareness-raising: awareness-raising actions at the request of social, medico-social, institutional or association partners,
   Training: two- or three-day courses, either inter-agency (individual registrations) or intra-agency (several people from the same organisation). Specific training on the impact of domestic violence in companies can be organised to suit the company’s needs.

Network coordination in 13 different areas in and around Marseille. 4 or 5 meetings a year: a monitoring function (legal, administrative, social, etc.) and exchanges to ensure that victims’ care pathways run as smoothly as possible. We also run a number of more ad hoc prevention projects, such as exploratory walks and workshops with young people. And if you want to keep up with us, you can sign up for our newsletter on our home page.

• What are your recommendations for helping women who are victims of domestic and/or sexual violence?

In all cases, and before taking any steps, seek advice from a specialist association, a lawyer or call 3919 to get the best possible support from qualified professionals.

Protecting yourself

When faced with a dangerous situation, it’s important to be prepared to protect yourself. Here are a few tips:

• Memorise important telephone numbers (17 for the police, 3919 for Violences Femmes Info).
• Identify the places and people who can help you in an emergency.
• Tell your children, if you have any, what to do.
• Prepare a bag for when you leave, to put in a safe place if possible (important documents, money, clothes, keys, etc.).
• Try not to be alone, talk to someone you trust, a specialist association, call us, even if it’s difficult, it can help you and doesn’t commit you to anything.

For advice: https://solidaritefemmes13.org/etre-aidee/ or call 3919

We are aware that there is still a long way to go to achieve parity in the workforce within our Group and our business sector, but we are continuing to work with determination to achieve full equality between women and men, valuing skills and talents irrespective of gender.
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