Bassano del Grappa, shocking “survey” in school chat: “Who deserved to be killed the most?”

Bassano del Grappa – Deep shock and indignation have been caused by a macabre “survey” that appeared in a class chat room at a high school in Bassano del Grappa, in the province of Vicenza.

The question posed to the students was chilling: “Who deserved to be killed the most?”, followed by three tragic options: Giulia Tramontano, Mariella Anastasi and Giulia Cecchettin, all victims of brutal femicides that have shocked public opinion.

The shameful episode was made public by the association Women for freedom, based in Bassano del Grappa and committed for years to defending women and children in emergency situations. The association published on its social media channels the screenshots of the incriminating chat, showing the disturbing "survey" created by one or more participants.

"It's not just a prank in bad taste or an out of place joke - the association firmly underlined - but a total lack of empathy. It's a broken mirror that reflects a part of our society that still doesn't understand, or doesn't want to understand, how deep the wound of femicide is."

Women for Freedom then recalled the brutal violence suffered by the three young women: Giulia Cecchettin, killed with 75 stab wounds; Giulia Tramontano, murdered while seven months pregnant; and Mariella Anastasi, burned alive.

“They were just a few years older than the kids who now joke about tragedies like hers [Giulia Cecchettin]. They had dreams, friends, a family. Like Giulia Tramontano, seven months pregnant, had. Like Mariella Anastasi, burned alive. And it's not enough to say 'they're kids', because whoever creates a survey like that knows full well that they're hurting. They're choosing to trample on pain. They're, in some way, playing with the death of others. And those who respond, those who laugh, those who stay silent... are part of the problem.”

The President of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia, also intervened on the matter, expressing his dismay. "It is difficult to believe that a chat like this could really exist. What has emerged is dismaying and raises profound questions about the path that still remains to be taken to combat gender violence and promote a culture of respect. I am not a lawyer, but if the investigations were to reveal criminally relevant profiles, I hope that all the measures envisaged will be adopted".

Zaia then added: “Episodes like this represent an alarming signal and require serious reflection. It is essential that, starting from school, we promote education on the fundamental values ​​of civil coexistence and respect for others. I invite the kids involved to reflect on their actions, to become aware of the gravity of what happened and to take responsibility for change. Words, even when spoken in virtual contexts, have weight and can generate very real consequences”.

The disturbing episode immediately raised a wave of indignation on social media and in public opinion, reopening the debate on education in respect, on awareness of the seriousness of gender violence and on the role of schools in the formation of responsible and aware citizens. We now await any developments on the disciplinary level within the school and on possible legal implications of the affair.