Résumé
One in three women worldwide has been a victim of domestic violence. Laws are constantly evolving to combat this scourge. The law of July 30th, 2020 allows healthcare professionals to report violence, without a victim's consent, if she is in immediate danger and under the control of her abuser. This study explores women's feelings about this derogation from medical confidentiality. Method: we carried out a qualitative study using individual semi-directed interviews with ten women, with an analysis based on conceptualizing categories. Results: the difficulty healthcare professionals have in identifying and reporting domestic violence lies in its complexity, the denial of control and the women's vulnerability. For them, a climate of trust, guaranteed by medical confidentiality, is necessary to break the silence. They saw the waiver of medical confidentiality as either a liberation or a betrayal. They suggested making the conditions for reporting more flexible, organizing specific care and legal paths, and reinforcing security for victims and doctors. Discussion: reporting violence protects but can endanger victims. The danger is permanent, latent: imminence is due to the aggressor's unpredictability. It is vital that the victim is taken out of the abuser's grip and taken to safety as a matter of urgency, backed up by the existence of specialized departmental centers since 2024. Conclusion: health professionals must assess each situation of violence as a whole when reporting it.