Healthcare Workers in Marseille Demand Stronger Legal Protection Amid Rising Violence

Healthcare professionals in the Marseille area, represented by the 'Collectif du 12 mars', have called for more stringent judicial measures to combat the escalating violence against them. On the European Day Against Violence Towards Healthcare Professionals, Dr. Marie-Claire Tuffery revealed that in 2024 nearly 21,000 violent incidents were reported across France, with 45% involving nurses. The Bouches-du-Rhône department alone recorded 368 such incidents, marking a significant increase over previous years.

Most aggressors are patients or their relatives, and many cases go unreported, leading to dismissals and limited accountability. The 2025 Pradal law, designed to offer better protection to healthcare workers, has so far yielded limited impact in curbing these attacks. Medical workers like Sophie and Myriam Duplaix highlighted the specific challenges, especially for women in certain neighborhoods.

Criticism has been directed at the leniency of the justice system, with calls for clear and deterrent legal responses to ensure healthcare workers' safety. Dr. Jean-Marc Bensoussan underscored the severe consequences of workplace violence on both medical staff and patients, urging society and policymakers to prioritize protections for healthcare professionals in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and beyond.