VSS or chronicle of ordinary violence
In 2020, a survey conducted by ANEMF, then repeated locally in 2022 by the ADEMMOOS association, revealed alarming figures on the extent of gender-based and sexual violence (GSV) experienced by healthcare students. In response to these findings, our dean, Prof. Isabelle Laffont, committed to adopting a zero-tolerance policy against GSV. She also created the position of "Vice Dean in charge of student well-being, GSV prevention, and psychosocial risks," which she entrusted to Prof. Emilie Ollié, PUPH of Psychiatry at the Montpellier University Hospital.
Starting in 2023, under his leadership and on the initiative of Prof. Carine Bécamel and Prof. Emilie Olié, the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine has introduced a mandatory five-hour training course dedicated to combating gender-based and sexual violence for DFGSM2 students:
- Two hours devoted to the concept of consent, led by Dr. Céline Bais (PH, psychiatrist and coordinator of the Regional Center for Professionals Working with Sexual Offenders in Languedoc Roussillon, CRIAVS-LR) and Ms. Magali Teillard Dirat (clinical psychologist at CRIAVS-LR).
- Three hours devoted to vulnerability induced by the use of psychoactive substances and legal aspects: definitions, steps to initiate administrative proceedings within the faculty (presentation of the online pre-reporting tool) and the university, as well as existing legal proceedings. This module was led by Dr. Laurent Martrille (MCU-PH, forensic scientist, head of the forensic medicine department at Montpellier University Hospital and legal expert), Dr. Olivier Mathieu (MCU-PH, toxicologist, head of the Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Montpellier University Hospital and legal expert) and Prof. Carine Bécamel (neurobiologist, Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Functional Genomics).
This year, to enrich this reflection and stimulate dialogue, the faculty wanted to innovate with an educational format combining training, emotion, and interaction. A play entitled "VSS ou chronique d'une violence ordinaire" (VSS or chronicle of ordinary violence), performed by the Acthéâtre theater company, was presented for the first time in a medical school. Through scenes from everyday life, DFGSM2 students in Montpellier and Nîmes were able to gain a concrete understanding of the impact and consequences of gender-based and sexual violence.
This emotional and powerful performance sparked a debate bringing together the various stakeholders involved in supporting, reporting, and caring for victims and perpetrators of sexual violence. It was a powerful and unprecedented moment, held at the world's oldest medical school, to strongly affirm our community's determination to combat sexual violence.
A big thank you to the Acthéâtre theater company and its actors Alain Lagneau, Isabel Jeannin, Claire Couture, and Edouard Eftimakis.
As well as to the various contributors:
Prof. Carine Bécamel (neurobiologist, Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine, IGF)
Dr. Laurent Martrille (MCU-PH, medical examiner, head of the forensic medicine department at Montpellier University Hospital, and legal expert),
Dr. Olivier Mathieu (MCU-PH, toxicologist, head of the Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology Department at Montpellier University Hospital and legal expert),
Dr. Céline Bais (PH, psychiatrist, and coordinator of CRIAVS-LR),
Ms. Magali Teillard Dirat (clinical psychologist at CRIAVS-LR),
Ms. Eve Montalti (clinical psychologist at CRIAVS-LR),
Adjutant Léa Milheau and Adjutant Philippe Martens (both from the Lunel Family Protection Agency)
Juan Pujol (new student vice-dean of the faculty and president of the Ademos association) and Paul Turpin (vice-president of the Ademos association) for their active participation.
Ms. Hélène Herrada and Mr. Lionel Magliari and the entire Administrative Management team, as well as the School Services, General Affairs, and Communications departments.
