In order to contribute to the protection of women against all forms of violence, to prevent its occurrence and to respond when it has already occurred, it is necessary to provide support for victims and groups at risk, but also to monitor implemented actions. It is important that authorities at all levels, but also the general population, are aware of the scope and characteristics of the phenomenon and of the relevant establishments and services, so that a vast support network can be activated if needed. The transnational project "Services for women victims of violence. Analysis of trends and impact evaluation", led by Regione Puglia and funded by the Daphne III (2007-2013) programme of the European Commission, aimed at increasing the knowledge-base and at improving data collection on three European geographical areas (of Italy, Belgium, and Spain), contributing to fulfil a need that is European in scope.

The results of the project show that services for victims of violence are often not known, monitored, or evaluated. A quality evaluation by the services' own personnel and, if possible, by users, is necessary to identify good practices, transfer them in other territories (in and out of partner countries) and solicit positive feedback between service providers and policy and decision-makers.

In order to be tackled, violence against women must not to be seen as an emergency, but as a social and cultural problem which needs ongoing attention and innovative approaches. That is why the European Union can use the results of this research project, and especially indicators on impact and usage and good practices, as significant tools to get a better grasp of the phenomenon and how it is actually tackled, so as to develop community policies related to public health, human rights and gender equality, that are evidence-based and ingrained in actual practices, and local authorities and the victims themselves can use the quantitative survey in order to learn what is available in their communities.