The Women Safe and Children Institute (WS&C), based in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France), with two branches in southern Corsica and Haute-Savoie, was established in 2014 out of a desire to provide a multidisciplinary support centre for women, young LGBTQIA+ individuals, and children who are victims of various forms of violence: psychological, physical, sexual, domestic, and/or economic. It plays a crucial role in helping them rebuild their lives after trauma.
Its approach is pioneering in the field. Various professionals specialising in psychotraumatology and victimology work on different aspects of effective, personalised care, including nurses, psychologists, legal experts, gynaecologists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, and art therapists.
In addition to offering listening and support, WS&C has another important mission: raising awareness about violence. This includes organising information days, addressing public authorities and media, and providing training, particularly for police officers, to help them understand the trauma of violence and respond appropriately to victims. Since 2014, WS&C’s network has supported over 5,700 women and 450 children. Every year, the number of people supported grows. For instance, in 2021, 700 victims received care, increasing to 903 in 2022, including 776 women and 127 minors. They have also provided over 12,000 telephone support sessions and trained 250 police officers and more than 3,000 individuals across various organisations.
The photos were taken over several months in 2022 and 2023, during which I followed the activities of WS&C. Growing demand and a limited number of employees mean they need to recruit and train more volunteers and are constantly seeking funding to sustain their activities.
An article has been published in international magazine "We See" by Femlens.
Series on Hans Lucas.
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A mother takes her daughter by the hand. They both come to the association because they were subjected to violence by the little girl’s father. This time, the consultation is for her. She is biting her nails with nervousness at the idea of seeing her father this weekend. She is obliged to do so by a court order following the parents’ separation, despite having reported the violence. The mother has taken the initiative of taking her daughter to a sophrology session so that she can spend the weekend with her father more peacefully.
The massage session begins with a breathing exercise. The therapist then applies a massage technique based on sophrology and the active participation of the recipient. This enables the little girl to express her feelings and wishes during the session, and to set her own limits. The therapist needs to be attentive to the child’s breathing, so as to make the right gestures at the right time.
A daily meeting is held where all staff share information on the assessments and sessions carried out, so as to be at the same level of information. Nurses, psychologists, project manager, legal and an intern gather. Once welcomed into the institute, the first appointment for a victim consists of a one-hour assessment with a nurse, who will then direct the person towards the necessary and appropriate care, depending on the situation. Over a period of six to eight months, the victim will see a number of different practitioners, who will work together to monitor his or her progress and advise on the next steps to be taken. This program is free of charge. Initially created around post-excision reconstructive surgery, the association’s activities have since expanded to include all forms of violence against women and children: domestic, physical and psychological.
Among the various workshops on offer are relaxing social activities such as embroidery (offered by a former beneficiary), contact dance, theatrical expression and karate. To regain full possession of her body, and feel stronger and more confident in defending herself. Practising a sport is also a good way of learning to control breathing and emotions.
For children, art therapy, theater and horse therapy workshops are offered, as well as various outings. Taking care of horses has been proven to heal post-traumatic stress and anxiety. The bond with the animal is sometimes strong.
Long-term work has begun with psychologists, specialized in trauma for different age groups. The victim’s guilt at not having been able to defend herself is often the first thing discussed in therapy.
Shortfilm and theater workshop for children animated by a professional actor and stage director volunteering for the association.
Dance workshop.
Elodie, a nurse, and Aurélie, student in Psychology in internship, take a young woman who has been abused, accompanied by a nurse.
Incest talk circle.
Fresco depicting emotions, created collectively by children during and art-therapy workshop.
Karate workshop.
Excision talk circle.
Embroidery workshop.
