Anti-Violence Centers are autonomous spaces run by women, whose primary goal is to initiate cultural transformation processes and address the structural dynamics from which male violence against women originates. In this context, they are facilities that offer \u2013 free of charge \u2013 support to women of all ages and their underage children who have experienced violence or are at risk of any form of violence, regardless of their place of residence. They support individualized paths to escape violence, engage in training and prevention, raise awareness in the community, and build networks.<\/span><\/p>\n The specific expertise and experience of those who manage Anti-Violence Centers are crucial for the quality of the services offered to women. This quality cannot be achieved through a neutral approach that fails to acknowledge that violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between the sexes, which have led to the domination and discrimination of women by men, hindering their full citizenship.<\/span><\/p>\n Recognizing the structural nature of violence against women, as being gender-based, means understanding that what occurs at the interpersonal level\u2014often within the domestic sphere\u2014has significance that goes beyond the individual case and is part of a collective context that enables, legitimizes, and reproduces violence against women. Embracing this perspective\u2014currently promoted by legal frameworks\u2014requires not only a commitment to transforming economic, symbolic-cultural, and social structures, but also the adoption of a specific working methodology capable of addressing women’s multiple needs: the methodology of support <\/span>(metodologia dell\u2019accoglienza)<\/span>, developed over the years and validated by all major international organizations involved in intervention and quality standards for assisting women experiencing violence.<\/span><\/p>\n This methodology is based on woman-to-woman relationships, empowerment, self-awareness, and regaining control over personal choices\u2014in both personal and political\/social spheres\u2014strengthening internal resources and self-esteem, which are often deeply damaged by chronic violence. It requires moving away from standardized, technical approaches in favor of practices that start by believing a woman\u2019s account and building trust through the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n For these reasons, Anti-Violence Centers must exclusively employ staff with both political and technical training, regardless of their professional background\u2014whether legal, social, educational, psychological, or other\u2014and must possess competencies in needs analysis, risk assessment, guidance through pathways out of violence, and all other necessary activities (training, prevention, awareness, networking). Family mediation techniques are never applied in these centers, and perpetrators of violence are not granted access. Dedicated programs for perpetrators must be implemented in separate locations with different teams.<\/span><\/p>\n For all women, regardless of origin, culture, or religion:<\/b><\/p>\n Where financial resources are adequate to sustain operations and cover staff costs, centers guarantee operation at least five days a week, including holidays, with a 24-hour phone line and voicemail, and connection to the national 1522 helpline. If locally funded, a 24\/7 on-call operator may be available to coordinate with emergency services. The physical structures of Anti-Violence Centers and shelters comply with national and regional safety regulations and ensure suitable facilities that protect privacy and support all activities.<\/span><\/p>\n Centers also develop and test prevention and awareness initiatives<\/b>, promoting training for social, health, legal professionals, and law enforcement, actively working to change the cultural norms and dismantle stereotypes that restrict women\u2019s lives and foster victimization. They function as \u201csocial laboratories\u201d, innovating positive models and fostering local networks to address the needs of women and their children collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders.<\/span><\/p>\n Objectives<\/b><\/p>\n Actions of Anti-Violence Centers<\/b><\/p>\n The Foundation considers supporting Anti-Violence Centers a priority through the provision of resources, knowledge, and connections. It does not aim to create a new network, but to act as a platform that respects and supports the independence and history of existing centers. It serves as a national, inclusive, and open space for dialogue, overcoming political fragmentation and directing all energies toward shared goals.<\/span><\/p>\n We amplify the voice of Anti-Violence Centers through:<\/span><\/p>\n Anti-Violence Centers have always worked with a gender perspective, recognizing the link between discrimination, lack of power and citizenship, and violence\u2014as clearly defined in the preamble to the Istanbul Convention:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cViolence against women is a manifestation of the historically unequal power relations between women and men, which have led to the domination of and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women.\u201d<\/span>\n
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\n<\/span> \u201cViolence against women is structural, as it is gender-based, and is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared to men.\u201d<\/span><\/em>
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