Quando la paura è nascere donna

Abstract

The distinctive feature of violent crimes committed against women lies in the gender of the victim. The male perpetrator is often someone who has, or has had, a relationship with the female victim, and the criminal conduct is triggered by this relationship, whether ongoing or already over. In this paper, I explore this aspect, examining how the legislator and the law have addressed the issue of the victim’s fear in gender-based crimes to ensure her safety, prevent the escalation of violence, and bring the perpetrators to justice. Finally, I mention some cases that I have handled as a defense attorney for victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual violence, also in order to reveal the context in which these crimes happen and the emotions of the women involved.

Keywords

• fear
• gender-based violence
• cycle of violence
• securing safety
• Anti-Violence Center