Groupe SOS Takes a Stand to Protect and Support Women in Exile 

As of today, Groupe SOS operates 52 facilities across France dedicated to the reception and integration of exiled individuals in France, providing a total of 4,700 places. Of these, 31% are occupied by women, meaning over 2,200 women are accommodated in general facilities. 

In its Asylum Seekers Reception Centres (CADA), Groupe SOS organises “women’s cafés”- dedicated sessions designed as safe, welcoming spaces of relaxation and support. These informal gatherings provide an opportunity for women to share their experiences freely while the staff listen attentively and guide them towards appropriate forms of assistance  

In its facilty with places dedicated to women in exile, each woman has her own individual room. The environment prioritises security: the addresses of the apartments are known only to the staff, and if the address is disclosed, the facilty has a dedicated budget to ensure temporary accommodation in a hotel for the woman’s safety. 

Recognising and appropriately responding to the accounts of survivors is vital. To this end, Groupe SOS has launched a training programme for its teams to enhance their understanding of the dynamics of gender-based and sexual violence within general reception facilities. 

These two-day training sessions equip professionals to sensitively handle such disclosures while safeguarding their own mental health and well-being. Following the training, teams work together to implement a detailed action plan, ensuring that protective practices are embedded into their operations over the long term.