Few women victims of violence turn
to one of Italy's 296 anti-violence centres for help, the head
of the emergency department for sexual and domestic violence at
Milan's Policlinico hospital, Alessandra Kustermann, said on
Tuesday amid fresh alarm over 'femicide' in the country after
two women were killed in separate cases on Monday.
"Essentially women do not know about them and, if necessary,
they tend to turn to the forces of law and order, a lawyer or
the hospital emergency department," Kustermann explained.
The centres provide psychological support and free legal
assistance for women victims of violence as well as directing
victims to safe housing.
In addition, they help gather evidence to support a police
report.
"This is a fundamental role given that many reports are
shelved because the victim is unable to provide proof of the
abuse," Kustermann said.
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