Days of Action Against Violence Against Women
To mark the International Day on November 25, the University of Montpellier is reaffirming its commitment to combating violence against women by organizing several events. On the agenda: self-defense workshops to learn techniques and how to respond, an awareness-raising webinar to better understand and prevent violence, and an autobiographical theater performance titled “Imperméable”—a memorable event not to be missed.
“In the books I read as a child, little girls would sometimes run into the wrong kind of people. A menacing figure would suddenly appear from a dark alley. So how could I have been on my guard when a family friend invited me to dance, all smiles, one evening at a wedding?”
This quote, taken from the play *Imperméable* by the theater company Le Cri Dévot, highlights the prejudices and impacts of gender-based and sexual violence. This violence, which takes many forms, can occur anywhere—even where we think we are safe. Whether on the street, at work, or in private life, women can be subjected to it.
UM to move beyond stereotypes by offering various awareness-raising initiatives that raise awareness and provideUM students and staffUM learn about and reflect on these critical issues.
The University has a duty to be a safe, caring, and respectful place—a space where everyone can take action, in their own way, to combat this violence, from the most serious to the most commonplace.
On the agenda:
Imperméable – By the theater company Le Cri Dévot
Thursday, November 27
8:00 p.m. > 9:00 p.m.
Montpellier – Richter Campus – Aimé Schoenig Student Center
Webinar on Raising Awareness of Gender-Based and Sexual Violence
ForUM faculty only
Friday, November 28
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Via video conference
Workshops on Mental, Emotional, Verbal, and Physical Self-Defense
Open only to femaleUM staffUM cis and trans women)
Mondays – November 24 through January 12
12:15 p.m. > 1:30 p.m.
Montpellier – Triolet Campus – Building 3, Workshop Room
Workshop on Mental, Emotional, Verbal, and Physical Self-Defense
Open only toUM studentsUM cis and trans women)
Saturday, November 29
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Montpellier – Triolet Campus – Building 3, Workshop Room
Useful Contacts:
At the University of Montpellier:
- To report acts of violence, discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexist behavior, and for guidance, please contact the UM Gender UM Coordinator and the Head of the Workplace Quality of Life Department.
- To support you, the preventive medicine department is available to assist you, including with issues related to domestic violence.
- More information on the system for reporting acts of violence, discrimination, harassment, and sexist behavior, as well as contact information atUM.
Outside the University of Montpellier:
- Violence Against Women Hotline: 39 19 (free and anonymous). 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Let's stop the violence: here.
- Portal for reporting gender-based and sexual violence: here.
- Police alert via text message: 114.
A toll-free national number for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, aphasic, or dysphasic. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. - Pharmacies: Victims of violence can report incidents there.
- Information Center on Women’s and Families’ Rights (CIDFF):
Counseling sessions with a psychologist and a lawyer.
Contact the CIDFF in your department. - Social worker at the Montpellier Police Headquarters:
Ms. Fatiha Bounoua, 06 74 94 49 73.
Support for victims and liaison between the police and medical services.
This event is organized by the Quality of Life at Work Department—Campus Life Division.