This service, which works with the National Health Laboratory in Dudelange, has been founded barely 21 months ago. To date, three officials have examined 35 people, mainly women, looking for traces of physical and/or sexual violence.
Since the start of the confinement period, calls from victims have been quite rare. There is no specific reason for this relatively "calm" situation, however.
According to Dr Andreas Schuff, one of the three officials of Umedo, the fact that victims are permanently stuck at home with their partner during confinement makes it difficult for them to call for help without the partner noticing. It is quite possible that the numbers will increase after the crisis.
Contact between the individual and Umedo is not established by phone, which is practical in this time of quarantine. The person in charge of the case can then decide on how to proceed: where the examination will take place, how to prepare for the meeting or how to organise the meeting in order to guarantee the safety of both parties.
Appointments can be made in Dudelange or in one of the partner hospitals, but these structures are very crowded in these times of the health crisis.
It is important to come forward in the event of domestic violence in order to document any injuries as quickly as possible.
Certain traces disappear within four to five days, which would distort the results of the examination. Photos can also be taken to show certain injuries to doctors for examination. Contacting the Umedo can also be done if the victim does not wish to file a complaint at first.
The service can be reached 24/7 on the number 621 85 80 80. The umedo.lu site contains all the necessary information concerning the operation of the structure.
The UN secretary general has asked governments to take special measures concerning domestic violence during the pandemic.
Antonio Guterres explained in a video message that economic and social tensions can cause fear in general and violence in certain families. The increase in domestic violence worldwide is frightening, he said, with women and girls being the most targeted.
