Reflections on *The Angel of the Hearth*

Charity projects in the city

To mark the performance of L’angelo del focolare, the public is invited to reflect on the issue of gender-based violence. The event will feature a number of local organisations, including both public services and voluntary organisations, which are dedicated to supporting and caring for abused women. Understanding the methods and support pathways available enables us to be aware not only for our own sake, but also to act as vigilant citizens on issues of abuse. The event will also be attended by professionals and volunteers who work with abusive men through awareness programmes aimed at fostering non-violent behaviour. 

ASST PAPA GIOVANNI XXIII
ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII offers programmes dedicated to victims of violence, providing healthcare, social and psychological support, and a multi-professional care pathway. In addition to emergency responses, the service is available to the public, through the local counselling centres, to: 
•    support victims in becoming aware of their rights
•    to provide healthcare, social and psychological support tailored to the type of violence suffered (physical, sexual, psychological, economic)
•    to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to care
•  to ensure, in agreement with the victim, the necessary protection through coordinated interventions within the network 
•  to co-design and support, in collaboration with local services, a personal empowerment programme
The ASST also operates an in-house CUAV (Centre for Men Who Commit Violence), which offers individual or group programmes for men with difficulties managing their reactivity, whether they attend voluntarily or are referred by the judicial authorities.    

AIUTO DONNA ANTI-VIOLENCE CENTRE: HELPING WOMEN ESCAPE VIOLENCE
Since 1999, the Aiuto Donna Anti-Violence Centre has been working alongside women to combat gender-based violence, promoting awareness and helping each woman rediscover her personal resources so she can take back control of her life. ‘Aiuto Donna’ is a founding member of D.i.Re (Women’s Network Against Violence), a partner of the ‘Una Nessuna e Centomila’ Foundation, and a partner of the anti-violence networks in the province of Bergamo (in the Bergamo, Seriate and Terno d’Isola areas) and is linked to the national helpline 1522. To ensure comprehensive support, it relies on a team of qualified professionals, including reception workers, psychologists, solicitors, social workers, career and housing advisers, cultural mediators and trainers.

LA SVOLTA ASSOCIATION. LISTENING SERVICE FOR ABUSIVE MEN 
Established in 2018 following a joint training programme between the Aiutodonna Anti-Violence Centre in Bergamo and the Counselling Centre for Abusive Men in Ferrara, it operates as a CUAV (Counselling Centre for Abusive Men) authorised by the Lombardy Region to provide support for men who have committed acts of violence. It employs a multidisciplinary team comprising counsellors, psychologists, a psychotherapist, an educationalist and educators. The service welcomes men who have committed acts of violence with the aim of facilitating a process of change and awareness geared towards respect for their partner or ex-partner, and towards strengthening their parenting skills, through thetaking responsibility for their behaviour, refraining from justifying it, and developing alternatives to violent behaviour. Through prevention and training programmes, as well as communication and awareness-raising campaigns, La Svolta promotes a broad cultural shift that challenges gender stereotypes and relationship models which legitimise the use of violence.