An honorary degree to the student victim of femicide. Support actions on the part of women are intensified.
If there is one thing that, unfortunately, did not stop with the advent of the Coronavirus, that is domestic violence. Subtle as it is, it continues undisturbed within the walls of the house. In fact, for many women, staying at home is not a reassuring invitation, quite the opposite. Victims of abuse now find themselves having to stay under the same roof as their tormentor 24 hours a day and this further complicates any request for help. This condition of "forced coexistence" can turn into a real slaughter and, to date, the first victim is already counted.
Her name was Lorena Quaranta and she was a 27-year-old Sicilian girl. Lorena was attending the last year of medicine at the University of Messina, she should have graduated in October with a thesis in Pediatrics. To become a gynecologist, that was her dream. Taking care of women in the most delicate moments of their life. But who, on the other hand, should have taken care of her, has turned into her worst nightmare and, finally, her killer. We are talking about Antonio De Pace, Lorena's historical boyfriend, also a medical student at the University of Messina. With his bare hands, that's how he strangled her, putting an end to the dreams and joie de vivre of a girl in her prime. "I killed her because she transmitted the coronavirus to me", this is the motive behind the murder. Nothing could be more untrue, since both boys tested negative on the swab test.
The banality of evil
On the girl's Facebook page, nothing would ever have portended such a tragic ending. The photos are wasted where the two, both young and beautiful, appear more in love than ever and so are the dedications. It is the banality of evil, which can take place anywhere, at any time, but, above all, it can be perpetrated by anyone, even by the most unsuspected of subjects.
An honorary degree to celebrate a model student
Today, however, Lorraine will have the recognition she had worked so hard for. An honorary medical degree. So it was decided by Salvatore Cuzzocrea, rector of the Messina university, who, deeply touched by the story, thought it was not right to make all the efforts of this model student in vain. Less than a month ago, already in the middle of the Coronavirus emergency, Lorena had proved to be very suitable for the profession for which she was studying with dedication. The girl, in fact, had shared the photo of a nurse on social media, accompanying the shot with the following words: "Now more than ever we need to show Responsibility and love for LIFE. Respect yourself, your Families and your Country. And remember those who are daily in the Ward to take care of our sick. We remain united, each in their own HOME . We avoid that the next sick person can be a loved one or ourselves ".
For this reason, the rector immediately worked to ensure that the decision was approved by the Academic Senate. It is a final tribute “to a very good student who today we cry in silence and with great emotion”.
Avon's gesture on the side of women
In this regard, Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women are once again taking the side of women, donating one million dollars to NGOs around the world that provide emergency numbers and assistance and shelter services to those who are victims of violence. .
Domestic violence is already an epidemic that is hidden and behind closed doors. Covid-19 is a silent killer. An unintended consequence of the isolation measures needed to fight the Coronavirus is to trap vulnerable women and children unable to ask for help at home with malicious and violent figures.
These are the very true words of Angela Cretu, CEO of Avon. The leading company in the production of cosmetics has been supporting the Telefono Rosa for years which, through the emergency number 1522, offers listening and concrete support to anyone in need. Furthermore, during the Coronavirus emergency, the association even took care to activate an online chat to facilitate reports of violence and not to make women, and possibly their children, feel left on their own. And to show your support for the cause, you can join the fundraiser on the gofundme.com portal.
If you are a victim of violence, remember that you are not alone. Report, always.
