The merchants of Lyon in the 7th arrondissement are trained in the “Angela” system. Behind this name is a network of shops and establishments which means for victims of street harassment and domestic violence that “the angel is there”. Thanks to a sticker affixed to the window, people in difficulty can enter and ask for help from these traders.
Kevin runs his hand over the sticker one last time, checking that the sticker doesn’t come out of his bar window. Against the purple background, the name Angela in bright yellow attracts attention, two hands come together and form a heart, even folded wings. “We try to help people. We do our small partKevin explains.
The Angela device has existed abroad, particularly in Great Britain since 2016, as well as in other French cities. It is a network of safe places where victims of street harassment and other violence can find refuge. Before joining the support network, trader training is offered.
Around the tables, arranged in a circle, the participants listen and take notes. The training is provided by CIDFF, the Information Center on the Rights of Women and Families. Everyone felt the natural need to reach potential victims. In this training, they learn how to react and what posture to adopt in front of a victim of violence.
For Charlène, a shopkeeper, training allows you to approach the necessary listening in delicate situations. “Above all we learn to welcome the word, to give security, and on which association to direct these women who come, to contact us, to meet us.
In the event that a victim has the reflex of entering a business to take refuge there, it is essential that the trader has the right reflexes to welcome him, as explained by Guillaume who participates in the training. “There are theaters, there are pharmacies, it is good that there are other people who get involved, not just the world of alcohol and the world of catering. I think it is important, if we are all aware in our profession, even if it is in offices, banks, from a professional point of view, this implies that in the public sphere the relationships between men and women will be better … well, this is what that we can hope for“, He concludes with a smile.
Fanny Dubot, Mayor of the 7th Arrondissement, is very proud to experience this device. “It already exists in Nîmes, Bordeaux and Rouen. We launched it at the level of the 7th arrondissement city hall, with the idea of generalizing it to the city of Lyon, the elected official said. We are working with other municipalities to show them the system. We invite them to train so that they can also do it in other villages “.
8 out of 10 young women are afraid of going out alone at night. Most have already been harassed or followed on the street and on public transport. While street harassment particularly affects women, the victims are not just women.
video duration: 02min 00
Angela, against street harassment and domestic violence, traders turn to victims.
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© France 3 Rhône-Alpes
The Angela device involves the city hall, police, merchants and artisans of the 7th arrondissement. More than fifty traders are expected to enter the system by the end of the year.
From the law of 3 August 2018, harassment in the street and sexist outrages are punishable with a fine of between 90 and 750 euros.
