Article 18 of the Consolidated Act on Immigration (Legislative Decree 286/98 “Provisions concerning the regulation of immigration and rules on the condition of the foreigner”): it provides a long-term protection going beyond the connection of social protection of the victims and their collaboration with the Judicial Authority, in the case that an illegal immigrant is in a documented condition of violence or heavy exploitation and there is actual danger for his/her personal safety because s/he has backed out of constrains exerted by an illegal organisation, or owing to declarations made during judicial enquiries, support shall be provided by giving the victims the possibility to back out of constraints, to obtain the recognition of a residency status and to participate in an assistance and social integration programme.
The residency permit “for social protection reasons” lasts for six months and can be extended up to one year; it allows working and accessing the training system and can be transformed into a work or study permit.
https://www.camera.it/parlam/leggi/deleghe/98286dl.htm (IT) ; https://www.refworld.org/docid/54a2c23a4.html (EN)