Gender-Based Violence Among Young People in Italy

From October 2-3, 2019, Vital Voices partnered with Gucci’s Chime for Change Initiative to conduct the Justice Forum on Gender-Based Violence in Florence, Italy. Through the Forum, 24 local participants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and disciplines including criminal justice professionals, gender-based violence (GBV) service providers, LGBTQ* rights organizations, and university representatives came together to discuss and develop strategies to combat GBV among youth and the LGBTQ* community in Florence. Through a combination of interactive activities and facilitated discussions, participants tackled specific topics such as violence against LGBTQ+ youth, technology-facilitated GBV, and sexual assault among college- and high school-age youth. The group also passionately discussed appropriate terminology, treatment and interaction with members of the LGBTQ+ community, discussing ways, for example, to properly use gendered or non-gendered pronouns so that interactions are respectful no matter the case. Summed up well by Judge Beatrice Giunti attending the Forum: “Basta chiedere!” (“you just have to ask.”) After the day-and-a-half-long program, participants departed with renewed energy to take action towards a more effective community coordinated response to GBV and facilitate more inclusive access to services and justice for survivors in their community.

Since the last update in May 2019, Vital Voices has continued planning for the Justice Forum in Florence, Italy in coordination with the CHIME for Change team and local partner, Dr. Debora Spini. The program has been tentatively rescheduled for the first week of October in order to align with Eredità delle Donne, a festival sponsored by Gucci, which will take place in Florence from October 4 – 6, 2019.  Given the festival’s focus on the role of women in creating the cultural heritage of Florence, Vital Voices and the CHIME for Change team agreed that holding the Forum in the days preceding the festival would help draw additional attention to gender quality in Italy and present increased opportunities for Gucci’s involvement and collaboration during and after the event. In August, Vital Voices seeks to finalize the program dates and venue for the Forum upon confirmation from the CHIME for Change team. After finalizing these details, Vital Voices will proceed with curriculum development and outreach to potential participants and local experts that have been identified as key actors to engage in the Forum.

Vital Voices has initiated preliminary planning for the Justice Forum to be held in Florence, Italy. The program is tentatively scheduled for September 2019. However, this is pending availability of local partners and approval from the funder. In preparation for the program, Vital Voices has held two planning phone calls with its long-time local partner Dr. Debora Spini, a faculty member at NYU in Florence, and director of the "Social Foundations" coursework, who will collaborate with Vital Voices to assist with program implementation. The local implementing partner has held preliminary meetings with several multidisciplinary partners who work on gender-based violence to help inform the scope and focus of the Justice Forum. The information obtained will be used to develop the list of invitees, agenda and overall program approach. Preliminary feedback indicates that one area of focus for the Justice Forum may be strengthening the coordinated community responses to gender-based violence, with a specific focus on engaging and responding to youth and the LGBTQ+ community as marginalized and historically underserved groups. Further, the local partner is seeking additional in-kind support for the Justice Forum, including meeting space and accommodations for participants and facilitators. Over the next month, additional multidisciplinary partners will be consulted and a draft agenda will be developed. Vital Voices seeks to finalize program dates in June.