What is the role of anti-violence centers in combating gender-based violence and how can they support local communities?
Over the past year, as part of the T-ESSERE PONTI program, a group of foreign women was trained on issues of countering gender-based violence, to then be able to give support, advocacy, and useful information on the topic to their own communities, social networks, and territorial associations and services. As a culmination of this course, the group had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of the Lia Pipitone anti-violence center (CAV) (run by the Millecolori Association).
Anti-violence centers play a crucial role in combating gender-based violence and supporting people facing such situations. CAVs (the acronym for “centro antiviolenza,” anti-violence center) are distributed throughout Italy and carry out various activities: from the first anonymous and free phone support to in-person consultations. They can also be reached by calling the toll-free number 1522 (anti-violence and stalking hotline). After the first contact, individuals can choose to begin a process of leaving violence behind, receiving legal and social counseling for help in finding work and housing.
The women, accompanied by a group of professionals who participated in part of the T-ESSERE Ponti journey, were welcomed by the head of the center, Dr. Adriana Argento, a social worker, and by the psychologist and psychotherapist Dr. Azzurra Tramonti. They showed them the premises located at Via Ammiraglio Persano. The space had a welcoming atmosphere, structured into two consultation rooms and a waiting room, ensuring the anonymity of anyone who reaches out.
The visit included moments of discussion and sharing, during which the staff addressed questions and curiosities regarding the origins, management, and organization of this center, which has become a point of reference not only for the neighborhood but for the entire city. It is a place born to meet the needs of the population, offering an anti-violence help desk, a shelter home, as well as a series of workshops open to the public (self-defense courses, dance-yoga, cultural and nature walks, and women’s groups).
The meeting stemmed from the awareness that, in order to carry on the fight against gender-based violence from a perspective that embraces all forms of diversity, it is essential to open up to networks and exchange experiences with similar initiatives in the area. The visit provided a space to discuss new ideas for possible collaborations and future projects. It saw the interaction between the knowledge, experience, and commitment of the CAV staff and the intersectional approach of the T-ESSERE PONTI group.
“T-ESSERE PONTI” is a program aimed at enhancing the availability of local services for the prevention and fight against gender-based violence through a path of social transformation. The agency of foreign women translates into concrete practices the necessary change in a context that trains them to become mentors and reference points within their communities and social networks, but also as valuable professionals in the field of access to anti-violence services for foreign women.
Here you can consult the map of CAVs in the Sicily region, created within the Community Linkage project. We hope it will give greater visibility to essential services for combating gender-based violence and supporting those who experience it, in any form.
To find out all the news about the project and for more information contact Georgia Chondrou: georgia.chondrou@cesie.org.
About the project
COMMUNITY LINKAGE – Improving gender-based violence service provision through the empowerment of migrant women as community-based mentors, trainers and agents of change is a project funded by DG Justice – Programme CERV (2021-2027) of the European Commission.
Partners
- SURT Fundacio De Dones Fundacio Privada (Spain, coordinator)
- CESIE (Italy)
- Diotima – Centre For Gender Rights & Equality (Greece)
- Zrs Koper – Znanstveno-Raziskovalno Središče Koper (Slovenia)
For further information
Read more about COMMUNITY LINKAGE.
Contact Georgia Chondrou: georgia.chondrou@cesie.org.
