10 warning signs of violence against women, according to Lines

Objectification of women’s bodies, gender pay gap, mansplaining, catcalling, control over finances, verbal, psychological, and physical abuse, femicide. Gender-based violence takes many forms, but for victims it is not always easy to identify the warning signs and talk about them with others. In Italy, only 11% of women who experience violence report the abuse; 40% do not speak about it out of shame or because they believe such behaviors are normal in a relationship. It is not uncommon, in fact, for victims to be led to believe that an abuse is an isolated incident, a moment of anger that will not happen again, a fabrication, or a playful action: the goal is to undermine women’s self-esteem.

For over 60 years, Lines, a pioneer in product innovation and in developing new forms of communication against gender stereotypes and discrimination, has actively worked toward building a world where every woman can feel free from any constraint. This work is carried out both in the field of intimate and menstrual hygiene and through cultural campaigns for women’s empowerment.

Since 2020, among Lines’ allies in this journey is WeWorld Onlus (an independent Italian non-profit organization active in over 20 countries). Together, they have developed the “10 warning signs” to identify predictive and indicative signals of potential psychological, economic, and social abuse. It is not always immediate for victims to recognize the vortex of violence they are in and to ask for help, especially when partners, brothers, fathers, friends, or other male figures try to convince the woman that it is her behaviors and thoughts that are wrong. It is precisely to support victims in this process of recognition that Lines and WeWorld have outlined their 10 warning signs:

1. When he addresses me, he is often aggressive and uses a very loud tone of voice.
2. When we are with others, he constantly contradicts me and belittles what I say.
3. Regarding agreed-upon plans, he denies them and says that I misunderstood.
4. When I go out with my friends, he tells me that I am not a good mother and/or a good partner.
5. He wants to accompany me everywhere and at all times, and does not allow me to go out alone.
6. When I am not with him, I must keep my phone always within reach to immediately respond to his messages and calls.
7. He wants to know all my access passwords (computer, social media, phone).
8. Any type of clothing I wear is judged as inappropriate, because he believes it attracts attention.
9. He does not want me to go out with my friends because he considers them stupid and fears they might have a bad influence on me.
10. When I tell him I am interested in a job, he says I am not capable and that I do not need it because he will provide for me.

Education on emotional well-being and Spazi Donna: Lines’ initiatives in the fight against gender-based violence
From the alliance between Lines and WeWorld in 2021, the program “Domande Scomode @School” was also born, which has now reached 458,000 students across Italy. Its goal is to help spread education on emotional well-being and assist students, together with their teachers, in finding answers to important questions, from the menstrual cycle and sexuality to managing emotional relationships and other delicate topics that are often difficult to discuss.

Furthermore, confirming Lines’ commitment alongside the non-profit organization in the fight against violence and for gender equality, the brand contributed in 2021 and 2022 to the opening of Spazi Donna in Bologna and Pescara—places of reception and community founded by WeWorld in various Italian cities. In these centers, women of all ages (from 18 to 70), employed or unemployed, mothers or not, cohabiting, married, or single, typically gather to seek psychological support. For example, some women who turned to the Bologna Spazio Donna recounted episodes of verbal abuse, tendencies to belittle the victim, and denigrating and controlling behaviors that made them feel wrong, at fault, and isolated from their social network. In other cases, like in Pescara, women initially seek support to find employment, and only later does the issue of abuse by a man emerge.

The fight against gender-based violence is carried out every day: listening to victims, supporting them, not blaming them, providing safe spaces, opportunities, and assistance, and helping them understand that abuse is never normal. Aware that violence against women is a systemic and cultural problem, Lines is committed to supporting and carrying forward awareness projects for gender equality.