Young women are particularly affected by gender-based violence: nearly 1 in 7 women aged 20–24 have experienced violence from a partner (compared with 1 in 10 women across all age groups). Despite being overrepresented among victims, young women rarely turn to support services. To reach this specific audience, En Avant Toute(s) created the chat platform www.commentonsaime.fr in 2016. The COVID-19 health crisis led to a surge in violence, causing chat usage to increase dramatically.
To meet this growing demand, the association has extended chat operating hours and seeks to strengthen the service by recruiting two additional responders. With a team of nine responders, the association can provide comprehensive support to women writing to the chat, helping them secure their safety and connecting them with services suited to their situation.
En Avant Toute(s) supports survivors of gender-based and sexual violence through a free, anonymous, and confidential chat, allowing them to be heard, advised, and referred to appropriate support services. The association also carries out prevention initiatives on the ground with young people (middle and high schools, universities), youth professionals, local authorities, and businesses, as well as digital prevention campaigns through social media and its awareness-raising website www.commentonsaime.fr.
