One year at the anti-violence center at the Gemelli Polyclinic: over 60 women helped

From one year The SOS LEI Anti-Violence Center of the A. Gemelli IRCCS University Hospital is active of Rome, born thanks to the partnership between WINDTRE, the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Polyclinic Foundation and the Assolei Association. The Center is within the Women's Path of the Gemelli Emergency Room and welcomes all women who suffer violence and mistreatment.

Since March 2, 2023, the Center has received more than 425 telephone contacts; there were over 195 face-to-face meetings; 61 women were taken into legal and/or psychological care to help them escape from violent contexts. The 12 specialized Assolei APS operators who manage the Gemelli CAV offer free reception both by telephone and in person.

«This year too, we confirm our concrete commitment to combating violence in all its forms and promote a cultural change, which only an alliance between men and women can foster” explains Rossella Gangi, Human Resources director of WINDTRE. «The support for the SOS Lei Anti-Violence Center represents a tangible initiative to promptly and concretely help women who suffer violence but our commitment is not only public. In WINDTRE we promote a culture based on gender equality and support female empowerment through awareness initiatives and training and development paths dedicated to women.”

Access to the Center is with a reserved entrance outside the emergency room of the Gemelli Polyclinic. This allows there to be total privacy for women who can come here on Monday mornings from 09.30 to 12.30 and on Wednesday afternoons from 14.00 to 17.00. However, there is a 24 hour telephone availability at the number 320.346.4044 and on the other days of the week reception and interviews are guaranteed at the other Assolei offices.

Dalila Novelli, president of Assolei APS, adds: «The cases handled by the Association are heterogeneous in terms of age, nationality and social background. Among these, we welcomed young women, students and workers who, despite being able to benefit from culture and independence, found themselves in the spiral of violence. SOS LEI is a safe place of listening and closeness while respecting the privacy, times and choices of all those who need it. It is also important to remember that the CAV makes use of the synergy with the police forces, with whom it collaborates for the drafting of reports and the search, if necessary, for shelters”.

Presence in hospital is essential. Francesca Giansante is the head of the Social Service of the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Polyclinic Foundation. «The synergy between CAV and the hospital social service is fundamental and has allowed timely intervention both in emergencies and in preventive moments. During this year, many women victims of violence encountered not only in the emergency room but also in various inpatient departments were sent to the Center, where patients accessed for health problems other than the outcome of violence. The presence within the Polyclinic made it possible to help women in the acute moment of suffering, when there is certainly greater receptivity and availability to help.”

A few months after the opening of the SOS LEI Anti-Violence Center at the Gemelli Polyclinic, it was also born RiViGe (Response to Gender Violence), the Committee of which several Gemelli experts are members, to promote intervention activities but also all-round prevention of violence. There are two objectives: the first is to rework the procedures for managing cases of violence and train hospital staff, so that every professional is able to provide the right support to patients. The second, long-term, is to raise awareness and educate on the topic.