In Isère, an association helps women victims of violence to move to an equipped and secure housing

These are simple everyday equipment, from sofas to cabinets through clean laundry sets or batches of dishes. But “a new life necessarily begins with these little things,” says Barbara emotion. At 45, this mother lived years of domestic violence before leaving her home and being welcomed in emergency accommodation. On the verge of moving into a more stable, but traumatized and isolated accommodation, with less than 300 euros of budget, she cannot comfort her comfortably for her and her three children … She is then addressed to the association that moves.

Installed in the Grenoble suburbs, her warehouse is full of furniture, household appliances and daily accessories that she collects, prepares and book for free to allow women fleeing violence to easily equip themselves. “I chose a cook, a fridge, two dressers. I was installed everything and since nothing has moved. It feels good to exist again! She said, relieved.

The idea was born at the beginning of 2020, when Denis Laquaz, a freshly retired architect, came across a report: he discovers Shelter Movers, a Quebec initiative to help move victims of domestic violence, the “worst of cowardice”. In France, where the figures continue to increase – in 2023, 271,000 victims of their (ex-) partner and an increase of 10 % in a year – the Grenoblois wonders if he too has a role to play.

Accompanied by a former marital and family advisor, he approaches specialized associations. “Together, we put our finger on a specific obstacle: once in emergency accommodation, these women struggle to project themselves elsewhere, because they have left everything behind them by fleeing or a large part of their affairs was thrown or destroyed by their ex-spouse. »»

A truck available

The duo launches in the fall: they collect furniture with individuals and give them a new stroke, if necessary, before storing them in a garage where they are made available for free beneficiaries. From January 2021, a first woman was helped. The demand is such that the action quickly increases: the team, now made up of five employees and supported by a hundred volunteers, has its own moving truck to deliver, and a room of 560 m2 to store. Each year there is between 40 and 50 tonnes of equipment, coming from former homes of elderly people but also hotels, colleges or renovation holiday centers.

In 2024, it moved help to nearly 130 women, most of them with one or more dependent children. “Many do not dare, but in addition to the basic necessity furniture, we also offer small decorations or toys for the little ones, explains François, in charge of logistics. Our role is to have them returned to a form of security, comfort, pleasure, to build a new future. »»

Less stress

Only part with a bag, Caroline* says he has managed to recreate a real “family cocoon”. “All alone I couldn’t do anything, it takes away a huge stress,” said Sophie*. Crucial but delicate, the time of choice was thus thought of “with great care”, insists Anouk, in civic service for a year and responsible for studying closely the impact of the association. The beneficiaries are welcomed to a secret guarded address and by an exclusively female team, with which they can stay as much time as they wish.

The association also offers aid to move victims, from the violent home to the home of a loved one. “Going definitively, when you are isolated, is so difficult that in average seven round trips are necessary, according to studies,” recalls Kim, strategy manager and development of the association. So many flight attempts that can be dangerous, or even at the origin of feminicides. The approach is therefore meticulously prepared and mobilizes up to a dozen volunteers, sometimes accompanied by the police in the most complex cases. “Because it happens that the spouse or those around him threaten or prowl,” says Arno, a 27 -year -old volunteer.

Until then limited to the Department of Isère, it moves Etime: two antennas were born in Lyon (Rhône) and Chambéry (Savoie), while another should soon see the light of day in Moulins (Allier).

* The first names have been modified.