Quebec follows France’s ‘serious danger phone’ initiative to support domestic violence victims

With a touch of a button on a special phone, domestic violence victims can get help, if the Quebec government’s newest plan to protect them pans out.

The province is following in France’s footsteps, which decided more than a decade ago to expand access to so-called “serious danger phones.” They’re modified to ring a 24-hour hotline and link people experiencing violence to police by sharing their location.

“The idea is to give a tool, another tool to women so they can rejoin the police officers or authorities,” said Quebec’s Status of Women Minister Martine Biron on Monday.

On Friday, the Legault government announced it’s now looking for a supplier.

Local organizations who work with victims say every new tool helps.

But they still have questions about how it’ll work, says the executive director of Women Aware, Alham Mahmod, who is also a survivor.

“How can I hide it from the person I’m with? What if I’m sleeping and I leave the phone, now it’s disappeared…Who’s qualified to get it?" Mahmod said.

Shield of Athena’s executive director, Melpa Kamateros, says it doesn’t solve the problems that keep women in abusive relationships, like a lack of space in shelters.

“Are we giving a false sense of security, perhaps to victims, if other reinforcements are not there, and if other major issues have not been taken care of?” she said.

The Legault government has budgeted nearly $560 million to improve support for sexual or domestic violence victims since 2022.

But of the 67 actions listed in the province’s strategy, just four have been fully implemented.

Quebec’s Ministry of Justice did not reply to CTV News' questions by deadline.

Advocates add this latest tool could save lives, and for that, it has their support — but its success depends on how it’s implemented.