Nearly 150 French women killed by partners in 2009

The figure gives some encouragement “but we can’t yet talk of satisfaction”, commented Families Minister Nadine Morano Wednesday when she announced the statistics.

The government toughened the law in June and named domestic violence the nation’s number one cause this year. A television campaign, which emphasised the effect on children, was run in September.

Sixty per cent of children who witness domestic violence suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, Morano said, while some are likely to copy their parents’ behaviour in their own relationships.

Ten children and 25 men were also killed by domestic violence last year.

Specialists believe the government’s figure is an underestimate, especially if suicides arising from violence are added.