To mark International Women's Day on May 8, FRANCE 24 looks at an online platform dedicated to helping expatriate French women who are victims of domestic violence. Seeking help can be more difficult when women are living abroad with their abusers and are cut off from a support system of friends and family. Launched in October, Save You has already helped more than 100 women break their silence to share their horrific stories.

"I didn't hit you hard enough last time. I feel like you're asking for more," shouts a large Turkish man, slamming the door on his way out. Nour* is overcome by anxiety. That week, two earthquakes hit Mersin in southern Turkey where she has been living, isolated from everyone for more than a year. A few days later, Nour herself was shaking. "I have to get out of the house tonight. He is armed, I feel like I’m going to die when he comes back," she whispers over the phone to Caroline B.

Caroline B., president of the Coeurs de Guerrières (Warrior’s Hearts) association, also runs the Save You online platform. Nour and other French expatriate women who are victims of domestic violence can seek comfort from her soothing voice over the phone for free, wherever they are in the world, 24/7. On the other end of the line, volunteers help them resolve some extremely complex situations, even helping them "avoid the worst" – as they did that evening with Nour.

>> Read more: French app fighting violence against women brings a ‘revolution’ to Morocco

Trapped

*Names have been changed

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

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