Anti-Violence Centers in Italy During the COVID-19 Emergency: Support Strategies for Women Victims of Violence

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted anti-violence centers for women. This study aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions affect: the assistance and protection functions of the anti-violence centers; the needs of women victims of violence; and the well-being of the professionals working with these women. Twenty-four Italian anti-violence centers were involved, and 29 women working there were interviewed. From the qualitative analysis of the texts, three main themes were identified regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anti-violence centers service: 1) transformations and synergies to improve help-seeking, 2) consequences of the pandemic situation on women victims of violence, and 3) the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on professionals. The results show that anti-violence centers need to be restructured to respond to the changes caused by the pandemic and expand their remote support strategies. Their interventions were fundamental in enabling wome...