RAVAD (www.ravad.org) is a LGBT assistance network with the aim of helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual and transgender people victims of aggressions or discriminations. It was created on 13rd May 1953 by 13 different federated associations as well as other associations acting in their own names. So far, many other associations are members of this organisation. The board is composed of members of these associations and respects the LGBT principles of parity and equality.

There are two raisons for RAVAD’s creation. First of all, homophobia is not the result of homosexuals’ imagination. Unfortunately, this fact is a social reality against which RAVAD struggles. Secondly, many LGBT victims of discrimination find it difficult to take legal action. This difficulty can only be overcome by the possibility of a defense nearby. 

Therefore RAVAD aims to put victims targeted because of their sexual orientations and gender identities in touch with legal professionals in order to inform them of theirs rights and in order to assist them if they wish to take legal action. This network also puts victims in contact with health professionals, whenever they ask for it. Indeed, RAVAD is aware of victim’s feelings and also of their needs for a personalized treatment.

What are our aims?

• to mutualise non-governmental health and legal resources
• to create a legal assistance network, close to victims. RAVAD gives priority helping with lawyers in proximity and putting victims in touch with various local associations depending on the type of aggression or discrimination. The assistance given depends on the nature of the discrimination as well as on the victim’s wishes. Victims can simply obtain legal advice and also be assisted by a lawyer if they decide to take legal action. In this case, lawyers undertake to offer the first consultation free. They commit to intervene within the framework of legal aid when their client is entitled to it or of a charter defining in particular a bracket of fees. The steering committee will take up the cases when there are neither legal nor health professionals who are members of our network in the area in order to help the victim’s claims as quick as possible
• to assist victims in order to refer a case to court or to the Halde – French High Commission against Discrimination and for Equality
• to create a network of health professionals. By creating a network of health professionals in order to connect victims to doctors and psychologists who might be able to assist them in the framework of legal aid
• to organise training sessions in order to help associations dealing with discrimination or aggression on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender to comforted victims in order to acquire good reflexes and offer the most effective solutions for first-time victims. This sessions should guide these organisations in improving the way they receive suffering victims in their first appointment
• to provide a free legal advisory panel in the Paris county court during the International Day Against Homophia. This initiative is supported by the Parisian Bar.

Contact in France 

 Jean-Bernard

geoffroybleitrach.avocat@orange.fr

Staff