Family of French woman killed by ex-partner to go to court to find out why she was not protected (www.theguardian.com)
from HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works to world@lemmy.world on 31 Aug 19:45
https://sh.itjust.works/post/45160510

The family of a woman killed by an ex-partner who bombarded her with hundreds of messages and calls will ask a judge on Monday to force the French authorities to explain why they failed to protect her.

Sandra Pla had complained to police three times about Mickaël Falou’s threatening behaviour over a period of six months, but her application for a protection order was rejected.

Between 3 January 2021 when Pla, 31, ended their relationship and 18 June 2021, Falou, 40, bombarded her with 317 text messages and telephoned her 67 times. His almost daily presence outside her home was recorded by the doorbell camera her parents installed, but police said Falou was on the public highway and could not be prosecuted. Finally, Pla’s mother, Annie, and stepfather, Gérard, moved from Spain into her small apartment in Bordeaux to protect their daughter, who was so scared her doctor signed her off work for 15 days.

Last year, 136 women were killed by partners or ex-partners in France, a rise of more than 44% on 2023. In the last five years, the French state has faced several cases brought by victims’ families who accuse it of failing to act to prevent the killings. In June, the state was ordered to pay €27,000 (£23,000) to the family of Nathalie Debaillie, killed by her former partner in Lille in 2019. It is facing at least two other cases, not including Pla’s: the murder of Chahinez Daoud, 31, who was burned alive by her husband in 2021 and the killing of Patricia Gomit, 51, by her ex-partner in 2022.

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