MARIGOT–The Gendarmerie on Friday signed a convention with Association Trait d’ Union, an association to aid victims of crime, or domestic violence.
Created a year ago, the association will have an office in the Gendarmerie stations in Marigot and French Quarter at its disposal for consultations with victims, every two weeks. The association gives free advice to victims on all matters arising as consequence of crime.
These can relate to giving medical advice or referrals, psychological help, dealing with legal issues – the association has legal experts – procedures to follow for suing for damages, finding a lawyer, recouping financial losses, advising victims on their rights and other issues.
Present for the signing with Commandant of the Gendarmerie of St. Martin and St. Barths, Sébastien Manzoni, was President of Trait d’Union, Jean-Marie Thévenet, lawyer Hélène Bordas and Secretary and adviser Serge Genovese.
Consultations for victims will alternate between the two Gendarmerie stations, in Marigot on the first of every month and on the 15th of the month in French Quarter between 2:00pm and 5:00pm. Victims are guaranteed complete confidentiality. The first consultation for victims will be on May 15, 2017, in French Quarter.
Thévenet said consultations are also held in Grand Case on Monday and Wednesday mornings at the homeless shelter Le Manteau in Marigot and at the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital.
“A victim’s first contact after a crime is with the Gendarmerie so it is natural for us to be a partner with this association,” said Manzoni. “This is a trial, because we want to see if it works and if it is a help to victims.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/65676-gendarmerie-signs-a-partnership-agreement-with-victims-association
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