Gino Cecchettin, speaking at the presentation #NoExcuses awareness campaign at the Luiss University in Rome, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, recounted the loss of her daughter Giulia. With great clarity and pain, he drew the signs and dynamics of the relationship between Filippo Turetta and his daughter.

Gino Cecchettin, who is Giulia’s father (killed a year ago): his commitment to the fight against violence against women and the strength of his daughter Elena

The relationship

“It was a process of escalation, which Filippo lived without even realizing the harm he was doing primarily to himself. This change began with him, without Giulia being aware of it until the last day,” explained Cecchettin. During his speech, he recalled the conversations he had with his daughter, in which he tried to convince her to cut off all ties, even friendship, with the boy. “I told him to cut it completely, because I know how certain men think: if they see a door slightly open, they think they have another chance. But Giulia would tell me: father, Filippo would not harm anyone.”

The Problem of Violence

Cecchettin pointed out how society still struggles to perceive seriousness and deep roots of the phenomenon of violence against women: “We do not fully understand the escalation of this problem, which is deeply rooted. A no is not the end of life, but it is a value we should teach. Life always offers other options. ” Living through violence and trying to process the pain is complicated, he explained: “For months I dreamed of going back to Fossò, where Giulia lived her last moments, to take her in the car and save her. M- I kept asking what triggered it.”

Cecchettin sought the solution in empathy, even with those who caused him suffering: “As a father, you blame yourself a thousand times. You wonder if you did enough, if you could have done more. Both Giulia’s and Filippo’s are two wasted lives. Two societal failures.”

He then delivered a message about the need for prevention, stressing the importance of intervening before extreme acts occur: “We often talk about sanctions and legislation, but when one commits such an act, one has already decided one’s behavior. It’s a short circuit, but that process starts far away. We have to stop everything upstream.” It is essential to focus on the educational and cultural value. Learning respect for others and that rejection is not a goal, but a new opportunity to grow. A fundamental message, to educate men to respect and not violence.