The association Elle's imagine'nt was founded 15 years ago by Sonia Pino, a clinical psychologist, and Julie Vella. Its mission is to welcome, listen to, advise, and guide women who are victims of domestic violence.
"The foundation, the backbone of Elle's imagine'nt, is the psychological support for these women, listening to their voices, gathering their stories, and helping them rebuild afterwards,” explains Estelle Aras. “It often involves working through the feelings of shame and guilt they experience.”
This work takes place, for example, during the support groups organized twice a week by the association, not to mention those dedicated to co-victims once a month.
"It’s a completely safe space where they can express themselves, listen to each other, and see that, despite their unique experiences, their stories are not so different in terms of patterns, mechanisms, and the violence endured. This allows them to realize that they are not alone, nor the only ones suffering this kind of violence.”
And this is already the beginning of the rebuilding process. “It changes a lot because they are able to analyze, to put words to what they have experienced, to rebuild themselves simply to take a new start. Over the 15 years we have been active, we have seen very beautiful reconstructions, women who are taking their lives back into their own hands. Of course, there is always that past, but they cope with it, they live with it, and that is already a great achievement.”
Elle's imagine'nt also conducts training for professionals, including judges, lawyers, social services, and HR departments in companies, not to mention raising awareness in middle and high schools, particularly regarding the prevention of violence by examining gender stereotypes.
Through all its actions, the association aims to change the narrative around how society views women who are victims of domestic violence and, more broadly, the role of women in French society. “So that women can simply imagine a life without fear, without anxiety for the future, and more generally, they can imagine everything; they envision a much more inclusive, much more equal society, one that respects their rights and choices as well. There is so much to imagine, but through our small actions, we try to make these dreams a reality. It shouldn't even be dreams, actually, just living normally. But for some women, that is already a huge step.”
