The help-seeking process among women victims of partner violence in Italy

Looking for support has a central role in the process of escaping violence. This study aims to investigate which sources of help women victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) contacted before arriving at an anti-violence centre (AVC), and to analyse the links with the women’s characteristics, their history of violence and the involvement of children. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 151 women arriving at five AVCs in Italy, where they filled in a self-administered questionnaire. Women reported high levels of violence; children were closely involved. Only two women reported no previous contact with sources of help; 33.1 per cent of the sample contacted four or more sources. Non-Italian women were more likely to contact four or more sources of help; having children was linked to more contacts with social workers; more severe violence was linked to more contacts with law enforcement agents. When children were involved in violence, the odds ratio for contacting four or more sources of help increased significantly, also after controlling for women’s nationality (adjusted odds ratio 9.47, p<0.05). This study provides evidence of the active behaviour of victims of violence and of the role played by children’s involvement in women’s help-seeking behaviour.