Naples, 30 reports every day related to gender violence

In the Naples area and province, “25-30 reports of crimes related to gender violence” are recorded daily.

It is a growing trend that, however, also reflects the positive effect of the introduction of the "red code" in encouraging victims to report. This is underlined by the deputy prosecutor of Napoli, Raffaello Falcone, head of the "Weak Fasce" section of the Naples Public Prosecutor's Office, dedicated, among other things, to violence of gender.

The magistrate took part in a press conference at the provincial command of the Carabinieri of Naples, during which the results of the “Mobil Angel” project were presented. This project allows victims of violence to raise an alarm by pressing the red button of a special SmartWatch.

The watch, similar to those available on the market, is connected to a control center managed by the Carabinieri. Currently, 15 of these devices are available (initially, in 2018, there were only 5).

The general Enrico Scandone, provincial commander of the Carabinieri of Naples, explained that this system allows them to be closer to the victims, ensuring timely intervention in case of need.

“Mobil Angel”, born in 2018 and tested for the first time in Naples, is an example of collaboration between the public and private sectors involving the Carabinieri, the prosecutor’s office, the Vodafone Italia Foundation and Soroptimist International. In total, there are 50 smartwatches available in the cities of Naples, Milan and Turin, where the service is active.

General Scandone highlighted that this system allows women to give up some privacy in exchange for the possibility of returning to being workers, mothers and women. Prosecutor Falcone also noted an increase in women's awareness compared to 2018, stating that now they no longer lower their gaze.

The Mobile Angel, the Smartwatch against gender violence

The Mobile Angel, the Smartwatch against gender violence, is the device connected to the smartphone on which a dedicated app is installed that can activate a request for intervention to the Carabinieri and is a service enhanced thanks to the collaboration between the Carabinieri, the Vodafone Italia Foundation and the Soroptimist International club of Naples, Milano alla Scala, Milano Fondatore and Turin.

The initiative was promoted by the association Soroptimiste has achieved considerable success, extending its use to Milan and Turin.

The conference brought together eminent figures from the judiciary and law enforcement sectors, including the Deputy Prosecutor Raphael Falconand of the Section for the Protection of the Vulnerable Groups of the Naples Prosecutor's Office and Brigadier General Enrico Scandone. The President of the Soroptimist Club Naples, Elvira Lenzi and the Security Governance Manager of Vodafone Italy, Claudia Carva, contributed with their interventions to highlight the importance and positive impact of this initiative.

Smartwatch is a wearable device with advanced functions

The Smartwatch is a wearable device with advanced functions, developed to ensure the safety and protection of women victims of violence. It allows you to make emergency calls, transmit the location in real time and record audio and video in critical situations, thus acting as a deterrent against violent acts.

Deputy Prosecutor Raffaello Falcone stated: “The Naples Prosecutor's Office has welcomed the initiative promoted by the Carabinieri to use the so-called “electronic bracelet” for victims of gender-based violence by adhering to the technical protocol for the use of the Mobile Angel system.

This device is characterized as a protection tool that, in addition to acting as a deterrent against the repetition of violent conduct, guarantees immediate protection to the victims who wear it since, in case of danger, by activating the alarm signal connected to it, it allows for timely intervention by the Police.

The prevention of the phenomenon of gender violence will be able to produce increasingly significant results only thanks to the synergy between the Institutions and the collaboration with non-governmental, private and business organizations".

Brigadier General Enrico Scandone stressed “The Smartwatch represents an important tool in the fight against violence against women. Its effectiveness in protection and evidence collection has led to tangible results.”

The Provincial Commander also emphasized the crucial role of law enforcement in collaborating with the judicial system to ensure the safety of victims: “This device strengthens our ability to respond promptly and protectively to dangerous situations.”

The President of the Soroptimist Napoli club added “The Soroptimist of Italy and the Napoli club, leader of the “Mobile Angel” project, is proud to support this effective initiative to protect women who are subjected to violence, often domestic.

The Smartwatch represents a concrete tool to protect the safety of women and their children, through the immediate intervention of the Carabinieri and the Prosecutor's Office. In this sense, several projects have been implemented by our club, 70 years after its foundation.

Among others, the setting up of the “room all for oneself”, at the Carabinieri barracks, in the wake of the ancient collaboration with the Arma. The one located in the barracks of the Stella district will soon be inaugurated. The “Mobile Angel” project confirms the winning strategy, born from the collaboration between institutions, the world of associations and entrepreneurship”.

Not present at the ceremony, the President of Fondazione Vodafone Italia Adriana Versino, however wanted her thoughts to be heard: "Technology is a valid tool to contribute to the fight against gender violence. With Mobile Angel we wanted to support a project that provides an additional tool to women who find themselves in risky situations to help them regain their freedom and independence".

He claims Adriana Versino, President of Fondazione Vodafone Italia. “As Fondazione Vodafone we have long been involved in projects to combat gender violence, for example with the BrightSky app, which provides useful tools and support to those who have suffered abuse or are in dangerous situations”.

After the already consolidated and repeated experience gained in Naples, the extension, now for a year, of the use of the Smartwatch in Milan and Turin represents a significant step forward in the fight against violence against women in Italy.

The initiative is an example of how technology can be used to protect and support victims, demonstrating how collaboration between institutions, law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector can lead to concrete results in promoting security and justice.