Monaco has introduced new tools to help assess the level of violence within relationships. One is aimed at professionals working with affected individuals, while the other has been specifically designed for youth.
Céline Cottalorda, the Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, introduced the initiative at a press conference on 17th October at the Direction de l’Action et de l’Aide Sociales.
It was developed by Monaco’s Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights in partnership with the Direction de l’Action et de l’Aide Sociales and the Direction de l’Éducation Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports.
The new tool, a violence scale created by Monegasque professionals, is a small booklet that aims to recognise and help prevent violence in various forms.
“No violence is justified, therefore we need to put in place measures that can identify violence,” said Cottalorda, adding that this scale builds upon similar barometers used in France but is explicitly tailored for Monaco, making it a unique resource for the Principality.
The tool is bilingual, available in French and English, and designed to be compact and easily portable. There are two versions: one for adults and one for youth. It measures three forms of violence—economic, physical, and psychological—and includes contact information for urgent assistance. The youth version replaces economic violence with cyber violence, and uses appropriate and tailored vocabulary. The scale features three levels: serenity, alert, and danger, each with corresponding descriptions.
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“We wanted to think of a comprehensible and accessible method,” said Audrey Seren, Social Worker at the Direction de l’Action et de l’Aide Sociales.
The booklets will initially be available only to professionals who work closely with cases of violence, such as the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG), justice department, and the Association for the Assistance of Victims of Criminal Offences (AVIP).
EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE NATURE OF VIOLENCE
In addition to the general brochure, a version specifically tailored for young people has also been produced, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Social Services and the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports. This youth-focused version addresses forms of violence relevant to younger audiences, such as cyberviolence, and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. To distinguish it from the adult version, the design of the youth brochure features illustrations from the Blitz manga, which was created for the 25th November 2023 campaign to eliminate violence against women.
Starting in November, the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports will introduce this new tool during Monaco’s anti-bullying month. The leaflet will be distributed to students as early as middle school, and its introduction will be accompanied by educational activities within the Principality’s schools to facilitate its use and understanding.
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Photo caption (from left to right): Audrey Seren – Social worker at DASO, Céline Cottalorda – Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, Marie Thouvenin-Rapaire – Director of Social Welfare and Social Services, Mylena Zamorano – Social worker at DASO – Child and Family Division, and Aurélie Montet – Head of Division at the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports. Credit: Stéphane Danna, Government Communications Department