Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

In trouble in France: where can she get help?

8 replies

lostinfrance2016 · 25/11/2016 09:50

I met a British woman recently who's living in France and in a really horrible situation. Don't want to give too many details, but basically her marriage has deteriorated to the point where they are (physically) fighting and heading for a divorce. She has zero support here - she can't afford a lawyer, doesn't speak French very well and struggles to understand conversations, she has no close friends as she's had terrible PND since arriving here less than a year ago. She has a baby, so can't just up sticks and move to the UK.

Does anyone know where she can turn for support? Are the PMI / social workers obliged to communicate with foreign nationals in their own language? Is there such a thing as legal aid here? Or the equivalent of a Citizens Advice Bureau? Women's Aid?

OP posts:
OlennasWimple · 25/11/2016 12:55

Try the British embassy for help sign-posting towards the agencies that can help?

Laptopwieldingharpy · 25/11/2016 13:13

Where is she? Big city or small town?
Is the husband french?

Hobbitch · 25/11/2016 13:19

Here is a link for the equivalent of Women's Aid. They offer free legal advice. I'm sure they'll have someone who speaks English.

www.infofemmes.com/v2/p/Contact/Liste-des-CIDFF/73

lostinfrance2016 · 25/11/2016 14:27

Thank you so much. She's in a big city, and her husband is neither French nor British (he's not European).

OP posts:
PlasticBertrand · 26/11/2016 13:49

If she's in paris she should get in touch with Message Paris. There's also a listening helpline in English, SOS something, the info will probably be on the fusac website.

pimmsy · 01/12/2016 20:53

has your friend found help yet ?

jenpetronus · 01/12/2016 21:10

There are a couple of English speaking groups for mums on FB which are really supportive too - Mums Space France and Ladies in France Together are the two I know of, your friend may already be a member?

lostinfrance2016 · 03/12/2016 21:05

Yes she has, kind of. its still a very messy situation, but she's managed to get a lawyer at least. Thanks.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page