In the wake of #MeToo, the Grenelle of domestic violence took place a year ago.

But there is still a long way to go, as the ordeal experienced by Claire illustrates.

For more than a year, this resident of Tourcoing, in the North, was the victim of harassment.

Her ex-spouse has just been taken into custody.

In the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, the ex-companion of Claire, a resident of Tourcoing, in the North, was arrested in Roubaix.

Aged 39, he had been wanted for several months after fifteen complaints filed by his ex-girlfriend.

The man was still in custody on Thursday at the end of the day.

For Claire, it is the possible end of an 18-month ordeal which illustrates that a year after the organization of the Grenelle against domestic violence, a long way remains to be covered in France.

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18 months of intimidation and threats

Because for Claire, 35, these 18 months were only a succession of threats and intimidation.

These sometimes took place in the middle of the night, at the young woman's home.

There were also those malicious calls, up to 60 a day, that smashed windshield and exploded mirrors on his car, as well as death threats, with the reception of a gun photo.

Claire, who is a sales representative, says the harassment continued in her workplace, in the presence of customers.

Until then, despite fifteen complaints filed and a search warrant launched last March, the man seemed elusive.

"Are the police waiting for me to die?"

When a fortnight ago, we try to set fire to his home by pouring gasoline on his front door, Claire decides to launch an SOS on social networks.

She publishes the photo of her smashed windshield and then that of her attacker, in two Facebook posts.

"Are the police waiting for me to die?"

the young woman is indignant then.

"We must act before it is too late."

She claims to have since received testimonies from several other former companions of this man, also victims.

The publications are widely shared, even in police custody.

Without a fixed address, HO is known to the courts.

"(He) had been wanted since March 2020 (...) A search warrant had been issued against him by the Lille prosecutor's office, as well as numerous requisitions to allow his location. He was arrested last night in Roubaix", the prosecutor's office said Wednesday morning.

"The victim is the subject of personalized support," said the same source.

Today, Claire aspires to find peace, but remains traumatized by these months of suffering.

She also imagines that without this cry for help, the violence of this man might have cost her his life.