Principality acquires new tool for measuring violence in relationships, including between young people

From left to right: Audrey Seren, Social Worker at the Department of Social Welfare and Social Services; Céline Cottalorda, Women’s Rights Officer; Marie Thouvenin-Rapaire, Director of Social Welfare and Social Services; Mylena Zamorano, Social Worker at the Department of Social Welfare and Social Services (Childhood and Families Section); and Aurélie Montet, Head of Section at the Department of Education, Youth and Sport. ©Government Communication Department–Stéphane Danna

As part of the action that has been taken to support women who have experienced domestic violence, the Women’s Rights Committee recently published a leaflet titled “Violence Scale”, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Social Services, to help measure the level of abuse within a relationship.

The aim is to offer professionals in Monaco a tool that they can use to help raise awareness among victims and enable them to more easily recognise situations of violence or even danger in which they may find themselves.

The Violence Scale has three levels: Calm, Alert and Danger. Examples of typical behaviours are provided for each level, covering different kinds of abuse: psychological, economic and administrative, physical and sexual.

Published as a pocket-size leaflet, the document also includes an English translation and details of useful contacts in the Principality.

It has been made available to professionals working for the Department of Social Welfare and Social Services, Princess Grace Hospital, the Victims of Criminal Offences Help Association (AVIP), the Police Department, the Department of Education, Youth and Sport, the Department of Justice and the Monaco Bar Association.

In addition, a special version for young people has also been published in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Social Services and the Department of Education, Youth and Sport.

The “youth” version of the Violence Scale uses language and examples that relate to the types of abuse that specifically affect young people: cyber, psychological, physical and sexual abuse. To distinguish it from the adult version, the graphics used in the publication for young people draw on the Manga Blitz illustrations produced for the 25 November 2023 campaign to stamp out violence against women.

The Department of Education, Youth and Sport will use this new tool from November as part of anti-bullying month. Alongside this publication, which will be distributed to young people of secondary school age and upwards, the Principality’s schools will be taking action to promote it and supervise its use.

More information is available at https://dfm.mc/evenement/l-echelle-des-violences/