Italy: information for victims of domestic abuse

Getting help in Italy

It’s your choice about what you do next. The most important thing is to make sure you’re as safe as you can be.

Anti-violence centres and helpline

There are anti‑violence centres (Centri Antiviolenza) across Italy offering:

• emergency accommodation
• psychological support
• legal advice
• help with safety planning
• children’s support services

For free, confidential support and information, contact the national anti-violence helpline.

British consulates in Italy

You can contact the British consulates in Rome or Milan. Consular staff will be empathetic and non-judgemental. Anything you tell us will be treated in the strictest confidence. We can contact your family or friends for you if you wish and provide information on local support.

We cannot interfere with Italian police procedures.

Italian laws on domestic abuse

Italian law treats domestic abuse as a serious crime. In Italy, domestic abuse covers a wide range of harmful behaviours, including:

• physical assault
• threats
• sexual violence
• psychological abuse
• economic control
• stalking
• abuse of family members or people living together
• revenge porn
• forced marriage
• breaching restraining or removal orders

As a victim, you can get different forms of protection, including:

• protection orders
• removal of the abuser from your home
• safeguards for underage children
• access to psychological and legal support services
• urgent police and judicial intervention

The main laws that grant these protections are:

• Law 119/2013
• Legislative Decree 93/201
• the Codice Rosso

Child witnesses of domestic abuse

Italian law treats children who witness domestic abuse as victims. Children are legally recognised as harmed even if they’re not directly assaulted. This means social services may intervene. They can issue protective measures quickly and start support services.

Abusers could get higher penalties if they commit their crimes in the presence of a child.

Anti-violence centres or your lawyer can help you understand your rights.

Reporting domestic abuse in Italy

To report domestic abuse, you can call the emergency number 112. Police must respond urgently in cases of domestic or gender‑based violence.

You can also go in person to any police station (Polizia di Stato or Carabinieri). This begins a criminal investigation. Many stations offer dedicated rooms for the victims (in Italian).

You can contact your tour operator for support if you’re travelling with one.

Finding a lawyer in Italy

The British consulates in Italy strongly recommend you get legal help. A lawyer can help you understand your rights. They can guide you and represent your needs. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Italy.

As a victim, you’re entitled to free legal aid regardless of your income under Italy’s Codice Rosso law. An anti-violence centre in your area may also offer legal help.

What happens after you report domestic abuse in Italy

The Italian authorities can issue restraining orders or remove the abuser from the home immediately. They will notify a magistrate who will hear your case within 3 days.

If you do not want to contact the Italian police

You can still get help if you choose not to report abuse. This includes:

• medical help
• psychological support
• legal information

Italian shelters and the anti-violence centres and helpline offer anonymous support.

Reporting domestic abuse in the UK

If the abuse occurred in Italy but you prefer to inform the UK authorities, you can contact:

You can do this regardless of where you live.

UK police may not be able to investigate incidents that happened outside the UK. They can:

• take your report
• make sure you’re safe
• contact the Italian authorities if appropriate

The British consulates always recommend reporting the crime in Italy, especially if you live in there. If you report the crime while you’re in Italy, the Italian police can take immediate action.

If you report the crime in the UK, the process can take a long time. UK police are less likely to carry out a detailed investigation. Evidence such as CCTV is usually kept for only a few weeks. By the time the UK police pass a report to Italy, the evidence may no longer be available.

British and UK resident abusers

If you report an incident in Italy, the UK authorities will help ‘extradite’ any UK resident at the Italian authorities’ request. Extradition is a legal process where a country requests the return of a person.

If your abuser is a UK resident, you may be able to get protection from them in the UK. For example, you could get an injunction to keep them away from you. Ask a lawyer about your options.

If the suspect is a British national or UK resident, UK police forces may be able to prosecute them in the UK. Your local police station should be able to give you advice. They may refer your case to the Crown Prosecution Service or Scotland’s Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Getting medical treatment

You can get medical help at any:

• Pronto Soccorso (emergency department)
• Guardia Medica (out‑of‑hours medical service)

You can get treatment even if you do not report the abuse.

Under Italian law, healthcare professionals may document injuries. If you choose to report the incident, this evidence can later support a legal case. If you’re severely injured, staff may have to report suspected criminal activity. You will still receive care and support.

Online help in Italy

Italian police app

With the YouPol (Polizia di Stato) app (in Italian) you can:

• report domestic violence, stalking or bullying by sending messages, photos and videos
• share your location automatically
• get help even if you cannot speak

European emergency app

With the European 112 Where ARE U app you can contact emergency services silently. This is useful in situations where speaking may be dangerous. The app shares your location automatically.

Anti‑violence and stalking app

The Italian government’s national anti-violence centre service includes an app. This gives you:

• free, anonymous 24-hour support
• the ability to chat with or call trained operators
• access to local anti‑violence services
• support in English and other languages

Information app (non-emergency)

With the free BrightSky app you can get:

• information and practical support
• a directory of local support services
• safety questionnaires and a secure journal to record incidents
• support in Italian and English

Returning to the UK

If you’re returning to the UK, read about how to get help and support in the UK.

You may wish to contact Reunite International if you’re travelling with children.

Disclaimer

British Embassy in Italy provides this information as a general guide. It is based upon information the Italian authorities provided and may change at any time. It’s intended to help British nationals abroad make their own informed decisions. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.