Physical Violence: What It Is and How to Fight It

What physical violence is and how to escape it. Signs, reporting procedures, prevention, and practical support for victims, with useful insights.

Do you feel frightened by a situation involving physical violence, but aren’t sure whether what you’re experiencing “really counts” as violence? Do you find yourself wondering whether pushing, grabbing, slapping or threats fall within a “normal” relationship dynamic, or whether they signal real danger? Are you scared to file a report for physical violence because you don’t fully understand your rights, the criminal code, the timelines or consequences? Or perhaps you’re close to someone who may be suffering and you want to help, but you’re afraid of making things worse.

If these questions resonate with you, know that you are not alone. This article aims to offer clarity, simple explanations, and practical tools to help you recognize violence, protect yourself, and activate the right support pathways, including guidance on prevention and the fight against all forms of abuse.

Table of Contents

• What Physical Violence Is: A Definition That Leaves No Doubt
• Physical Violence Against Women: A Cultural and Structural Issue
• The Different Forms of Physical Violence: Recognizing Them to Stay Safe
• Physical Violence and Psychological Violence: Two Sides of the Same Wound
• Reporting Physical Violence: When to Do It and How It Really Works
• Prevention and Protection: Building Safety Before It’s Too Late
  • 1. Recognize early warning signs
  • 2. Build a support network
  • 3. Know your protection tools
• Useful Resources for Further Reading
• Questions and Answers About Physical Violence

What Physical Violence Is: A Definition That Leaves No Doubt

When discussing what physical violence is, we refer to any physical contact that causes pain, harm, or limits a person’s freedom. According to the World Health Organization, it includes acts such as hitting, grabbing, pushing, using objects to injure, attempting to choke, burning, tying up, confining someone, or imposing any form of arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

Physical violence can be obvious, but it often appears in more subtle ways: a grip that’s too strong, objects thrown in anger, a shove justified as “you’re the one who lost balance.” These are all forms of physical abuse, even if the victim, out of fear or confusion, tends to minimize them.

Physical Violence Against Women: A Cultural and Structural Issue

Physical violence against women is not an isolated incident—it is a deeply rooted social problem. In most cases, it is committed by a partner or ex-partner, often within a broader cycle that includes verbal violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, economic violence, and stalking behaviors.

Many women victims of violence report that the first signs were not punches or slaps, but criticism, belittling, controlling behavior, isolation, and obsessive jealousy. It is essential to remember that male violence against women tends to follow repetitive and predictable patterns: the longer it continues, the worse it becomes.

The cause of violence is never the victim’s behavior; the responsibility always lies with the person committing the act.

The Different Forms of Physical Violence: Recognizing Them to Stay Safe

Physical violence can take many forms. Some are obvious, others are more subtle. Here are the most common:

• Hitting with hands or objects
• Pushing, grabbing, or restricting movement
• Attempted strangulation or suffocation
• Burning or injuring with tools
• Confining, immobilizing, or preventing someone from leaving
• Using force to compel unwanted sexual activities
• Preventing medical care or access to medications

Victims of physical violence do not always recognize these actions as crimes. They are often minimized through manipulative excuses such as “It was just a moment,” “You provoked me,” or “It will never happen again.”

The truth is that every form of violence is a warning sign that must not be ignored.

Physical Violence and Psychological Violence: Two Sides of the Same Wound

Physical violence rarely exists in isolation. In many cases, it is accompanied by psychological and emotional violence: humiliation, threats, insults, control, isolation, and blackmail. It’s a dangerous combination because it destroys the victim’s self-esteem and makes taking action even harder.

This is where the symbolic idea of the Spiritual Warrior comes in: a figure representing those who choose non-violence, awareness, and absolute respect for others. It stands in stark contrast to the belief that force can be used to dominate or control someone.

Reporting Physical Violence: When to Do It and How It Really Works

Many people fear filing a report for physical violence because they think they won’t be believed, or that the situation will get worse. In reality, Italian law provides clear protections.

Under the criminal code, hitting, harming, coercing, or depriving someone of their liberty are serious and prosecutable crimes. A report can be filed:

• At a Carabinieri station
• At a Police station
• At the Emergency Room (the medical report is forwarded to authorities)
• Through a lawyer

It is essential to request a medical certificate documenting injuries, bruises, or trauma.

In an emergency: 112.

If the aggressor is a partner or former partner, specific protective measures may be applied, such as immediate removal from the home and restraining orders.

Prevention and Protection: Building Safety Before It’s Too Late

Prevention and the fight against violence rely on three key actions:

1. Recognize early warning signs

Psychological manipulation, control, isolation, and excessive jealousy should never be ignored.

2. Build a support network

Talking to a trusted person is often the first step toward safety.

3. Know your protection tools

Many services provide immediate help:

• 1522 – National helpline for violence and stalking
• Anti-violence centers (national map: https://www.1522.eu/)
• Family counseling centers
• Municipal support desks and associations

Useful Resources for Further Reading

• ISPRA document on the WHO report on violence against women
• National 1522 Network: https://www.1522.eu

Questions and Answers About Physical Violence

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)