Ad Alta Voce, the University's gender-based violence counselling service

The University of Milan has set up "Ad alta voce", a counselling service created to contrast gender-based violence, offering a first point of contact to students of the University of Milan who are experiencing distress because of episodes of sexual, physical, economic or psychological violence, stalking, harassment or abuse in their private life. "Ad alta voce" is part of the counselling service provided by COSP (University Study and Career Guidance Services).

Irene Pellizzone, professor of Constitutional Law and Rector's delegate for the prevention of gender-based violence, and Barbara Rosina, Director of COSP, told us why the University has decided to launch this service, and described how it works.

Currently, there are many different support services for people who experience gender-based violence. Why is it important that the University of Milan provides a counselling service to its students?

It is important because our University aims to be a place where students have the opportunity not only to receive an education and expand their cultural knowledge, but also to feel part of a real community, a community that takes care of them. In this way, the University can be seen as a safe environment, where students can be listened to in complete privacy, without fear of repercussions or, more generally, of other people's judgements on any aspect of their lives, even the most intimate. They can overcome the shame and sense of guilt — typical in cases of gender-based violence — which hinder them from disclosing painful experiences. 
We've been exploring the theme of gender-based violence for years also at an educational level, by providing thematic courses and meetings within our Observatory on Violence against Women, and we've experienced first-hand the need of our students to be listened to on the experiences they have lived through.

In what sense this service acts as a first point of contact? What can students expect from this service?

We aim to provide an environment that is free from any judgement or external intrusion, where students who seek our help can be put on the right path to figure out what they have experienced. This means giving them the time they need to recognise their feelings, without any rush or the pressure of everyday life and, above all, of their surrounding environment, which can be truly judgemental.

In other words, we want to make them aware of their discomfort, which brought them to contact our service in the first place, so they can cope with this feeling and learn to identify targeted programmes to help them feel better. The collaboration with the Sexual and Domestic Violence Support Service (Soccorso Violenza Sessuale e Domestica – SVSeD) of the Mangiagalli clinic plays a key role in this sense, but we'll talk about this afterwards.

Who will these students meet?

They will meet dedicated psychologists and psychotherapists, serving as a first point of contact, as they possess specific expertise in this area. Notably, during this stage, these experts will provide initial support through psychological counselling, so as to listen to the needs of students who are experiencing gender-based violence. Our counsellors will be supported by the precious collaboration of professionals of SVSeD, with which the University of Milan has signed a specific agreement. 
If students have experienced traumas, or need a more structured treatment, they will be subsequently referred to SVSeD, where they will be received by specialised staff and put into contact with psychological, medical and legal professionals with a broad experience in dealing with gender-based violence cases. 
We want to clarify that "Ad alta voce" is not an anti-violence centre, but responds to the need for initial support. 
Therefore, if you wish to report any episodes of violence, including witnessed violence, contact the competent authorities: police, the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Court, or the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Juvenile Court.