Is it normal for a guy to check his girlfriend's mobile phone? For 36% of young Italians, the answer is yes (Istat data). The event, "Comparing Voices on Gender Violence", will be held at 10.30 a.m. on 10 December at the Cesena campus, and will also be live-streamed from the campuses of Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini. It concludes the cycle of initiatives organised by the University of Bologna to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, in response to a phenomenon that is still deeply rooted in society.
Despite a general improvement in gender stereotyping, the July 2025 ISTAT survey reveals that discriminatory dynamics are still present, especially among 14–19-year-olds. Additionally, 11.1% of teens believe that in a relationship it is 'normal for a slap to happen now and then', while 15.6% think that 'violence is caused by the way girls dress'.
These data on tolerance of controlling behaviour and physical violence among young people are part of a broader picture that also touches the adult population, for whom the statistics are no less concerning. The numbers unequivocally illustrate how cultural debate and awareness are crucial tools for accelerating change and overcoming stereotypes.
To translate this awareness into concrete actions, the university has strengthened its support network. After the active experiences in Bologna and Forlì, in November the Ravenna campus launched a service dedicated to combating gender-based violence, created in cooperation with the association Linea Rosa - ODV. A second branch will also open shortly in Rimini.
The initiatives against gender-based violence and LGBTQIA+ anti-discrimination are free services that provide protected listening spaces for the entire university community, to address various forms of abuse both inside and outside the university.
"The university is continuing its wide-ranging commitment to raising awareness among the new generations and the community as a whole, with the aim of promoting a study environment and workplace in which respect, equality and safety are the central values“ commented Cristina Demaria, Delegate for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. “We are proud of this, and also aware that it is important to recognise our outstanding internal competencies in order to promote a culture of change. Combating gender-based violence is the responsibility of everyone. Nobody can let their guard down”.
This culture of change is now promoted by the Comitato Unico di Garanzia per le Pari Opportunità – CUG (Guarantee Committee for Equal Opportunities) through multiple initiatives, such as the recent conference aimed at university staff to stimulate reflection on the issues of gender differences, equal opportunities and well-being. The conference was organised in the light of available surveys and documents, with particular reference to the University of Bologna's Gender Equality Plan. The document, which each year takes stock of the situation of all the populations at the university - teaching staff, technical and administration teams as well as students - offers valuable pointers designed to foster fairness, inclusion and respect for diversity.
These three core principles cannot be separated from psychological well-being. This is why the University is implementing a series of initiatives and projects dedicated to the mental health of students and staff, in order to respond to the growing demand for psychological help and support.
Requests for mental health support are also numerous in the wider university sphere, which is why over the past four years the university has reinforced its Psychological Help Service (SAP), used by approximately one thousand male and female students across the Multicampus area. The strengthening of the counselling service has resulted in a significant reduction in access times to the service, reducing waiting lists to almost zero.
In addition, with the aim of supporting students who have suffered blockages or setbacks during their university experience, the University of Bologna has launched 'Passo Passo' (Step by Step), a service that actively seeks out students who encounter difficulties during their university journey.
The 'Avrò cura di me' (I will take care of myself) space is instead aimed at all Unibo staff in order to take care of themselves and their psychological well-being. The aim of "Avrò cura di me" is to develop skills for dealing with emotional overload, relational difficulties and conflict situations in working and everyday life. The initiative will offer staff up to seven free interviews, in-person or online, to help them identify and use their internal resources in order to improve psychological flexibility and wellbeing, and to better cope with the uncertainties of work and daily life, as well as their relational conflicts.
