Prevention of Domestic Violence

Created in 1963 by Bishop Jean Margéot, Action Familiale (AF) has always worked for the development and stability of the family. Action Familiale receives an annual grant from the Government since 1965 for the development of the Natural Family Planning. With the support of several companies and firms, we also offer several sessions and individualized support to couples in order to help them to move forward. Since 1965, we educate young people in schools with a program of Life Education. Our mission is to educate the population of Mauritius and Rodrigues, youth and adults, to a strong and harmonious family life.In 2013, we focused closely on the problem of domestic violence. According to the latest report of the Mauritius Research Council:- It costs the state Rs 1.4 million annually. - 23% of Mauritian women are victims of violence. - The most common violence against women is domestic one which, in most cases is not reported to the authorities concerned. (The report stipulates that only 2% of domestic violence is made public.) - In the rural areas and suburbs, 40.7% of women had been physically, verbally, emotionally or sexually abused by their partners. - 79% of abused women had been married for more than 10 years. - A close correlation between domestic violence and suicide has been established. The number of suicides by girls and women between 15 to 24 years old is fifty five times greater than the number of deaths due to pregnancy and child birth.Thus, domestic violence remains taboo. The woman who is the victim does not always speak and the couple, the family suffers. Children who are exposed to it are more at risk of drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and criminal behavior than those raised in families without violence. The in-laws, who still have a big role to play in many Mauritian families, do not always know how to react and how to help their children succeed in their married life.Convinced that training and support are ways to overcome this scourge, AF has established, in 2013, a project with the theme: Prevention of Domestic Violence. With the support of a private company, 1000 couples / families and 400 in laws were reached through this project. Our educators individually followed up the couples with a training program with the aim of developing communication skills, to create a climate of listening, and bring men and women cope with their feelings. In parallel, the in laws received lectures, training sessions and had a space to talk about their concerns. They have acquired tools to help their children build a stable family.Following this project, we have witnessed great changes, rise of awareness and some beneficiaries are now in training to become educators for AF. They have understood that they received much more than 7 training sessions but acquired values that allow them today to move forward in their marriage life and family. It ’s now their turn to accompany families through their history.