Ad alta voce (Say it out loud): a gender-based violence counselling service
"Ad alta voce" was 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 COSP's counselling services; it is not an anti-violence centre, but responds to the need for initial support.
If you wish to report any episodes of violence, including witnessed violence, you must contact the competent authorities: police, the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Court, or the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Juvenile Court.
To contact the service, please send an email to [email protected]
The counselling service "Ad alta voce" is free. If you want to contact the service, just send an email to [email protected].
You will be offered psychological support either through remote meetings (e.g. video calls) or in person, by appointment, based on your needs.
In the case of episodes of violence and/or harassment within the university context, the service will contact the University's trusted advisor, who has been active in this field for years.
If the situation is particularly complex, your request for help can be directed to the anti-violence centre "Soccorso Violenza Sessuale e Domestica" - SVSeD (Sexual and Domestic Violence Support Service) of the Mangiagalli Clinic – Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, with which there is an agreement in place. The service is public and free.
The service is open to people of any gender and age, and addresses all forms of violence, as it boasts specific and long-standing expertise on all aspects related to sexual and domestic violence.
The centre has been active since 1996 and is recognised by the Lombardy Region as a regional assistance centre for gender-based violence issues. Its services are provided by a multidisciplinary team composed of gynaecologists, forensic doctors, psychiatrists, midwives, social workers and psychologists. The centre is open 24/7 and provides healthcare assistance through a dedicated medical staff, reception and information services through its healthcare and psychosocial team, and psychological therapy and support thanks to its social workers and psychologists. Moreover, it provides guidance in the use of local services, as well as legal, criminal, and civil advice in collaboration with the SVS DonnaAiutaDonna association (link).
The healthcare, forensic, and psychosocial evaluations offered by SVSeD guarantee adequate, timely and specialised assistance to address the healthcare and psychological needs of the person who has experienced sexual violence, with the aim of providing responses and intervention proposals as quickly as possible, preferably within 72 hours of the episode of violence.