This chapter explores the complexities of social work practice with women who have experienced gender-based violence, focusing on the interplay between power, pain, and professional ethics within the interview setting. Informed by feminist theory, relational ethics and critical insights from front-line practice in Italian welfare services, the analysis underscores that violence does not simply “enter” the room—it reshapes its dynamics and demands. Asymmetries of power, the urgency of protection, and the institutional role of the social worker intersect in ways that challenge the ideal of neutrality and call for a highly reflexive professional stance. The discussion highlights how power can either support or undermine the helping relationship, how the emotional impact of trauma manifests in both the person assisted and the practitioner, and how ethical decision-making is shaped by systemic constraints and contextual sensitivity. Particular attention is given to risks of secondary victimization, emotional overidentification, and defensive detachment. Rather than promoting prescriptive protocols, the chapter advocates for a situated ethic of care—one that attends to context, recognizes silences, and respects the agency of women. Time, language, and professional presence are presented as key ethical tools in building trust, fostering empowerment, and ensuring dignity. By foregrounding the relational and affective dimensions of practice, the chapter contributes to a deeper understanding of the ethical challenges involved in social work interventions with women affected by violence.