Do you know what an anti-violence centre like Centro Donna Giustizia does?

The Anti-Violence Centre (CAV) is a safe space, run by women, where you can share your experiences and ask questions, and where you will be listened to actively and without judgment. The CAV supports female-gender people in the process of recognizing and escaping from violence (psychological, economic, sexual or physical) through personalized support programmes that are free of charge and provided with complete privacy and anonymity.

Absolutely. Recognizing a situation of abuse in a romantic relationship, or gender-based violence, may not always be obvious, especially when you are experiencing psychological violence. The operator who speaks with you will help you better understand the situation you are going through.

Of course. We have language and cultural mediators who can conduct the interviews in your language, ensuring that you receive all the necessary information and assistance in a way you can understand.

You will be welcomed by a female staff member trained in gender-based violence, who will guide you along your path at our Centre. The first appointment will be a one-on-one meeting where you can speak freely about your situation without being judged.

Every path is different and is planned together with you: our approach is based on your freedom of choice. If you wish, the operator can offer you a legal consultation with one of our lawyers (specializing in civil and/or criminal law) or suggest further meetings if you feel you need them to better understand the situation you are going through. The Centre can also provide you with a series of psychological counselling sessions. All our services are free of charge.

Your story is protected by privacy laws. The Anti-Violence Centre is different from other local services (Social Services, law enforcement, health services, etc.): it is a neutral space. Everything you choose to share during your appointment will be shared ONLY within our team. Anti-violence centres are not required to report, and if there is a need to consult people outside the Centre, the operator will ask for your permission and agree the next steps with you.

We can activate our emergency shelter service, which is free. If you have children, you will be hosted together with them. We can also support you if you have pets that you do not want to or cannot leave at home.

No, it will be your personal choice whether to file a report or not, even after you have been placed in protection and received legal advice.

You can call 0532 24 74 40 during office hours, leave a message on the voicemail, or send us an email at udv@donnagiustizia.it. An operator will handle your request and, if you wish, schedule an in-person appointment with you at our office in Ferrara or at the local office in the province closest to you: Comacchio, Codigoro, Argenta, Copparo, Bondeno and Cento.

No. Deciding to ask for help and to leave a situation of domestic violence is a choice that protects your children, even if you do not have an income and are not working. The children of women exposed to violence are, in turn, exposed to violence (witnessed violence, in Italian “violenza assistita”).

Yes. Centro Donna Giustizia is a trans-feminist anti-violence centre and welcomes cis and trans* women without distinction. We also support women escaping violence in lesbian relationships.

Unfortunately, our main office is NOT fully accessible. The main entrance has barriers, but there is an accessible side entrance with a doorbell that can be reached from a seated position. The door opens inward; it is not heavy and you can open it with one hand. There are no ramps, escalators or lifts to get in. Inside there are some steps, but we can also hold the appointment on the ground floor. The toilets are not wheelchair-accessible and the corridors are a bit narrow.

However, we do have access to a FULLY ACCESSIBLE space at another location, which must be booked in advance.

At the moment none of our staff knows LIS or LIST (Italian Sign Language and Tactile Italian Sign Language), but we are in contact with an LIS interpreter. If you prefer, you can send us a video message in LIS by email or on WhatsApp at 388 090 6531, or come to the appointment with a trusted person who can translate for you (a friend, a family member or a professional). You may bring your guide dog with you. There are no tactile paths in our buildings.

Our emergency shelter service does not include an operator on site, nor are we open 24 hours a day. Therefore, the person who needs shelter must be self-sufficient. The possibility of emergency shelter must be assessed together, case by case, depending on the specific situation.