Violence against women: the tools are there, but they are not always accessible An Ogilvy report highlights critical issues and growth opportunities
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, among many things, it’s essential to remember that Italy offers support services such as 1522 and Anti-Violence Centers, yet they are not always known, accessible, or understood by everyone. For this reason - and starting from a study by Ogilvy, which involved several anti-violence centers across the country and included interviews with a sample of women and men - we believe it’s important to clarify how much people actually know about these services and what barriers prevent them, on the other hand, from being used to their full potential.
Violence against women: the tools exist, but too many people don’t know how they work
According to this research, 65% of respondents do not know about 1522, and almost half of all women have never heard of it. Anti-Violence Centers are also still unclear: 67% say they don’t have enough information about how they work, showing that knowledge remains too superficial. Awareness is growing, yes, but still fragmented. In 2023–2024, both calls to 1522 and knowledge of the service increased, yet many people still don’t know when to use it or how it can help. It’s real progress, but still far from complete.
1522 is often perceived as a number to be used only and exclusively “for extreme emergencies.” 53% of women think it should only be called when violence is already obvious or severe. Even if 70% recognize at least one correct situation in which to use it, the idea persists that it is a tool for critical moments, not for doubts, fears, or developing situations. Moreover, Anti-Violence Centers are not only for cases of physical violence. Only 39% of respondents know that AVCs also deal with psychological, economic, or digital abuse. Most people reduce their role to physical violence, overlooking their broader function of support and guidance.
Anti-Violence Centers are spaces of freedom, not places of obligation
In these centers, every woman finds listening, respect, and pathways built around her own pace. Staff members emphasize that there is no obligation: speaking does not mean committing to anything or filing a report, but finally having a neutral space in which to understand what you are experiencing. Without physical signs, it’s easy to minimize what is happening. Many women arrive saying, “I’m not sure if it’s serious enough.” This is why it’s important to communicate that you can ask for help even just for a doubt, discomfort, or the feeling that something is wrong. Many women, therefore, do not immediately recognize themselves as victims. Information must become trust, and trust must become access to services. The research makes this clear: visibility and knowledge are not enough if they are not accompanied by clear, continuous communication. To start a protection journey, one must first feel legitimized, welcomed, and free to choose. The anti-violence network exists, but it must be made more understandable and closer — and our collective responsibility is to ensure this support is perceived, understood, and truly accessible.