# Gender-based violence and crime trends in Italy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gender-based-violence-in-italy
> Updated: 2026-08-14T18:39:34.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 2.

Local municipalities in Italy have launched initiatives to combat gender-based violence. In Roselle, a red bench was inaugurated in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II to honor victims, while Ferrara introduced the ‘Mai bandiera bianca’ campaign in municipal libraries to engage young people through cultural spaces.

These local efforts coincide with reports of rising violence and femicide across the country. In the Umbria region, authorities reported three femicides and 1,316 proceedings under ‘Codice Rosso’ laws during 2025. In Marche, officials noted eight femicides and a 46% increase in gender violence cases between July 2024 and June 2025. National statistics from ISTAT for 2025 indicate that approximately 31.9% of Italian women aged 16 to 75 have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

According to the Ministry of the Interior’s Viminale Dossier for the first half of 2026, there has been a significant shift in crime statistics. Female homicide victims decreased by 37%, falling from 54 cases in the first half of 2025 to 34 cases in the same period of 2026. This period includes the first data following the implementation of the new ‘femminicidio’ crime (articolo 577 bis) in December 2025, which recorded eight such cases.

Further details from the 2026 Dossier indicate a 10% decrease in overall reported crimes compared to 2025. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi attributed this trend to enhanced police staffing and increased territorial control, including the use of ‘red zones’ in 35 provinces. Alongside the decline in female homicides, other categories saw decreases, including sexual violence (-7.1%), robberies (-12.3%), and thefts (-11.4%). However, the report also noted that police warnings for domestic violence increased by 24.1%.

## Claims

- Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi stated that data confirms a generalized decrease in crimes. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- Total reported crimes decreased by 10% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- Voluntary homicides fell by 15.3% in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Female victims of homicide decreased by 37% in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The new crime of femicide (articolo 577 bis) was in effect as of December 17, 2025. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Sea arrivals (sbarchi) decreased by 52.1% in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Total repatriations increased by 34.3% in the first half of 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Red zones (zone rosse) in 35 provinces resulted in 12,876 removals of individuals. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-14: Italy reports 10% drop in crime and 52% decrease in sea arrivals in 2026

Italy's Viminale reports a 10% drop in total crimes and a 52.1% decrease in sea arrivals for the first half of 2026. Female homicide victims fell by 37% following new femicide legislation.

31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-reports-rise-in-femicides-and-gender-based-violence

### 2026-07-30: Italy’s Roselle and Ferrara launch anti‑violence‑against‑women initiatives

Roselle unveiled a red‑bench memorial and Ferrara displayed “Mai bandiera bianca” posters in libraries, both Italian initiatives to raise awareness and prevent violence against women.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italys-roselle-and-ferrara-launch-antiviolenceagainstwomen-initiatives

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Cite as: Gender-based violence and crime trends in Italy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gender-based-violence-in-italy