The Reality of Intimate Partner Violence in Piedmont, Italy: The Challenges Posed by the Frequency and Severity of Violence and the Proposals to Combat It

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) refers to any violent behavior perpetrated by partners or former partners. IPV not only has a significant negative impact on the health and quality of life of victims and their family members but can also lead to femicide.According to theWorld Health Organization (WHO), one in three women worldwide have experienced some form of GBV in their lifetime. A study conducted by the European UnionAgency for Fundamental Rights in 2014 found that 22%of women surveyed had suffered physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of their partner, 43%had been victims of psychological violence, and 18%had suffered economic violence. In Italy, a telephone survey conducted in the same period by theNational Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) revealed a similar situation: 22.4% of women had been psychologically abused by their current partner, 13.6% had been victims of physical and/or sexual violence, and 11.8% had experienced some form of violence during pregnancy. This survey also found that partners or former partners often perpetrate the most severe forms of violence, including femicide, which is consistent with recent scientific evidence. We will provide an overviewof a series of cross-sectional studies on violence against women intercepted in the ED of different health care facilities in Piedmont and the results of a study on femicide that occurred specifically in Turin (Piedmont) from 1970 to 2020.1-4 In addition, the results of the PAUSE project coordinated by the University of Turin and the actions of the “Health Network for the Care of Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence” will be discussed. Specific regional bills and common protocols adopted by all public health institutions in Piedmont will be presented, as well as the large-scale basic and advanced training for health care professionals working with survivors of GBV.