The Carabinieri of the San Nicola La Strada station arrested a 78-year-old man for personal injury and stalking of a woman, his neighbor, who, until a few months earlier, had had a relationship of friendship and trust with him. When the military arrived at the scene of the attack, they found the man still on the landing of the victim's home, struggling in front of the front door.
According to the investigators' reconstruction, the two had met after the woman moved into the same building where the 78-year-old lived. The relationship between the neighbors had initially developed in a climate of collaboration: the woman, in exchange for a fee of 150 euros a month, went to the man's house every day to prepare his meals.
From friendship to persecution and violence
However, the friendship soon turned into a morbid and obsessive behavior on the part of the man. Faced with increasingly disturbing signs, the woman decided to break off relations, but this action triggered a series of stalking episodes, culminating in the physical aggression of the last night.
The man, violating every boundary of respect and legality, forced his way into the woman's home. Here, he threatened, pushed onto the bed and slapped, causing injuries that would take five days to heal.
Only the intervention of the Carabinieri put an end to this escalation of violence. The elderly man was arrested and is now under house arrest, but the incident leaves an indelible mark on the victim's life.
This episode is yet another wake-up call on the need to decisively address the problem of gender violence. Every woman has the right to live free from fear and threats. It is essential to strengthen prevention measures, raise awareness and ensure support for those who report.
Institutions and civil society must unite to fight this scourge. No one, regardless of age or social status, can consider themselves above the rules of respect and civil coexistence. Every complaint is a step towards women's freedom and safety, but also a reminder for all of us not to remain indifferent.
Article published on November 25, 2024 - 06:43
It is a very sad fact that still happens today. It is necessary that the authorities do more to protect women. It must not happen again, because every person must feel safe in their own home and not be afraid of their neighbors.