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.