1522. What happens when you call.
@womeninsafety_itFree, anonymous, open day and night. What to expect, even if you don't know what to say.
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It's not your fault. You're not alone.
WIS — Women in Safety is the Girotondo Onlus project fighting violence against women. So you can recognise it, call it by its name and know who to ask for help.
#maipiùinvisibili
The project
Let's name things so we can change them.
Violence almost never starts with a slap. It starts with control, with a remark meant to humiliate you, with a bank account that's no longer yours. That's why it's hard to recognise, even when you're living it.
WIS grew up around La Mongolfiera, the Girotondo Onlus home that welcomes women and children who have escaped violence. We speak to those who suffer it, to the people close to them and to men who want to be part of the change: without judging anyone, and without excusing any violence.
- 01
Awareness
Knowing what violence is, in all its forms: physical, psychological, economic, sexual, digital.
- 02
Support
Knowing who to turn to, and how to be there for someone who needs it.
- 03
Change
Changing words, habits, relationships. All of us, together.
What we talk about
Seven ways to break the silence.
Everything WIS publishes belongs to one of these themes. Tap a theme to read its articles.
- 01Raising awarenessThe forms violence takes, and the myths to debunk.
- 02Spotting the signsThe signs, even the subtle ones. For those living it and for those around them.
- 03LanguagePhrases that hurt, and victim blaming: words are never neutral.
- 04Getting help1522, anti-violence centres, psychological and legal support.
- 05Empathetic supportWhat to say, what to avoid, how to be there without judging.
- 06SharingStories, safe spaces, #rompilsilenzio and #maipiùinvisibili.
- 07Success storiesWomen who made it, and the paths to a fresh start.
Common myths
What people say and what's true.
We've all heard certain phrases a thousand times. They sound harmless, but they protect the abuser and leave the woman going through it alone.
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Myth
“If it was really that bad, she would have left.”
FactA woman living with violence often stays out of fear.Fear of revenge, of loneliness, of not managing on her own. Don't ask why she hasn't left. Ask how you can help her.
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Myth
“He's not like that. He's a good person.”
FactViolence doesn't always wear a monster's face.An abuser can be charming in public. Most violence happens behind closed doors: seeming kind doesn't mean doing no harm.
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Myth
“It's not violence, it's just a complicated relationship.”
FactA difficult relationship asks for compromise. Violence creates fear.You don't have to be beaten to be suffering violence: control, insults and manipulation are violence too.
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Myth
“Strong women don't put up with abuse.”
FactA woman living with violence is strong.Every day she survives something that would break anyone. Violence doesn't depend on the strength of the person who suffers it, but on the choice of the person who uses it.
-
Myth
“Women report abuse out of revenge.”
FactReporting abuse is one of the hardest choices there is.It means exposing yourself, reliving everything, often not being believed. Women who do it, do it to save themselves.
-
Myth
“It's the alcohol's fault.”
FactAlcohol and drugs don't create violence.They can make behaviour that's already violent worse. The responsibility always lies with the person who commits it.
Swipe sideways and tap a card to turn it over
Recognising the signs
He doesn't shout. He doesn't hit. But something's wrong.
Sometimes he even smiles. But you feel that something isn't right. It could be violence, and it deserves to be called by its name.
Your answers are not saved or sent: they stay on this screen and disappear when you close the page.
What you feel means something.
You recognised yourself in {n}. It's not a whim and you're not exaggerating. Talking to someone with expertise is the first step: 1522 answers free of charge, anonymously, at any time of day or night.
The language of violence
Violence has its own vocabulary.
These are phrases heard in many homes. They all have the same answer.
“Shut up. You'll do what I say.”
This is violence.
“It's all your fault, nobody else's.”
This is violence.
“Without me you're nothing.”
This is violence.
“Give me your password, you've got nothing to hide.”
This is violence.
“No one will believe you anyway.”
This is violence.
“Provoke me one more time and see what happens.”
This is violence.
Violence isn't just a punch. It's also:
- humiliating words
- control and isolation
- financial dependence
- threats
- sexual violence
- constant insults
It's violence, and it must be called by its name.
No woman deserves to be treated like this.
For the people around her
I'm here, if you want to talk.
You don't have to be a psychologist or a hero to help. Sometimes just being there, in the right way, is enough.
- 1
Believe her.
If she tells you something is wrong, believe it. Don't ask her for proof and don't play it down.
- 2
Stay.
Respect her pace. Don't ask her “why don't you leave?”: it takes courage just to open up.
- 3
Help her find support.
1522 and anti-violence centres also help family and friends work out what to do.
From the blog
Learn, share and be part of the change.
Red flag? It's not just a TikTok trend.
@womeninsafety_itWarning signs that should never be ignored, even when they're dressed up as caring.
If he decides how much you can spend, it's not love.
@womeninsafety_itEconomic violence leaves no bruises, but it takes away freedom. Even from women who work.
With the support of
Charity Fund of Intesa Sanpaolo
WIS is supported by the Charity Fund of Intesa Sanpaolo, which has made helping women and children who are victims of violence one of its priority areas.
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One voice alone is barely heard. Many together make some noise.
@womeninsafety_it
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