More than 5,600 women turned to anti-violence centres in Tuscany over the past year, according to the 17th Regional Report on Gender Violence, presented on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Hospitals recorded 2,701 “Code Pink” cases, the protected emergency protocol for victims of abuse, while 1,265 contacts were made in Florence alone — the equivalent of more than three women every day seeking help.
Nine femicides were documented in Tuscany in 2024, adding to a total of 140 since 2006, including 36 in the Florence area. Most cases involved current or former partners. Officials say the steady rise in requests for help may reflect growing awareness rather than an increase in violence.
The regional network now includes 25 anti-violence centres, 102 access points, and shelters hosting over 130 women and 110 children. However, access remains uneven: in the Florence district there are only 0.12 access points per 10,000 women, showing that geography can still determine the availability of help.
One Minute of Noise at Palazzo Vecchio
To mark the day, hundreds gathered in the Cortile della Dogana of Palazzo Vecchio for “Un minuto di rumore” — One Minute of Noise — organised by the City of Florence with the Monrif media group.
Students stood behind a banner carrying the final verses of a poem by Cristina Torre Cáceres:
“If tomorrow it’s me, mum, if I don’t come back tomorrow, destroy everything.
If tomorrow it’s my turn, I want to be the last.”
Their shouts and chants merged with the drumbeats of pupils from the Alberti-Dante music high school, creating a moment of sound and solidarity.
Mayor Sara Funaro said the event coincided with the approval of Italy’s new femicide prevention law in Parliament, calling it “a crucial day for the country”. She urged continued attention “not only on 25 November, but every day of the year”.
Understanding violence: the many forms it takes
Violence against women rarely appears suddenly. It often begins as control, isolation or jealousy and evolves into physical, psychological, sexual or economic abuse.
Experts also highlight digital violence — monitoring phones and social media — and stalking, including unwanted calls, messages or surveillance. These acts, often subtle at first, erode freedom and confidence long before they are visible.
What to do in Florence if you experience violence
Florence’s support network is designed so that no woman faces danger alone.
- Go to the nearest Emergency Room. Every hospital activates Codice Rosa (Code Pink) — a confidential space with trained doctors, psychologists and legal advisers. Victims can file reports directly from hospital if they choose.
- Contact an anti-violence centre (24/7). 1522 — national free hotline. Artemisia Centre (Florence): +39 055 601375. Nosotras (Florence): +39 055 2776326. Centres provide listening, counselling, legal aid and safe housing.
- File a report if ready. Reports can be made to police, Carabinieri, or through the hospital. Authorities can impose restraining orders, remove aggressors or use electronic monitoring.
- Seek help early. Violence escalates. Early intervention saves lives.
“No woman should walk this path alone”
As Florence’s courtyard filled with noise and defiance, one message echoed across the city:
You are not alone. You will be believed. There is a way out. Behind every number stands a woman who found the courage to speak — and a community that refused to look away.
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Eirini Lavrentiadou is an actress and singer, born in Thessaloniki in 1992. She lives in Florence, where she trained at the city’s Theatre Academy and the Fiesole School of Music. She has performed in classical Greek and European plays, worked with international directors and companies, and appeared in concerts ranging from opera to jazz. She contributes to Florence Daily News as a writer.