Two years after Giulia's disappearance, Gino Cecchettin: "Education is the first form of justice. We don't need harsher laws, but a new culture."

“Since that November 11th two years ago my world has stopped.” With a firm voice, but full of emotion, Gino Cecchettin, father of Giulia, the student killed by her ex-boyfriend Filippo Turetta in November 2023, told in front of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into Femicide his story of pain and rebirth. Not a plea for revenge, but a profound appeal to prevention and education, because “justice always comes later, but school and culture can come first.”

"I'm not here to ask for more punishment or harsher laws," he said. "I'm here to talk about what can come first: prevention, and therefore education."

“Affective education is not a danger, it is a protection”

During the hearing, Cecchettin strongly defended the introduction of theaffective education in schools since childhood. "I know there are fears, resistance, and misunderstandings, but I assure you that emotional education isn't a threat: it's a protection. It doesn't take anything away from anyone, but rather adds awareness, respect, and humanity."

He then warned: "A school that doesn't talk about affection, respect, and equality is a school that leaves children alone in a world that shouts distorted messages. When the school is silent, social media speaks, toxic role models speak, and the silence of adults speaks."

According to the president of the Giulia Cecchettin Foundation, born to transform pain into concrete commitment, "education must begin in kindergarten. The fundamental concepts of respect and consent can and must be taught to children in a way that is appropriate for their age."

“Gender violence is not an emergency, it's structural”

In his speech, Gino Cecchettin denounced a still too superficial narrative of the phenomenon: "Today, gender violence is often described as an emergency, but it is not. It is a phenomenon structural, rooted in our culture, in the languages, stereotypes, and relationship models we continue to pass down. It doesn't arise suddenly, it's not a sudden outburst: it grows slowly in a society that too often justifies, minimizes, or remains silent.

For this reason, he reiterates, “We cannot delegate to the courts what is the responsibility of schools, families, and cultural institutions.” The Foundation's goal is to educate aware people, capable of recognizing violence before it becomes a tragedy. "Talking about emotional education means teaching that love is not possession, that strength is not domination, that respect is the foundation of every relationship."

“I chose to react and give meaning to the pain”

“I'm not a politician, nor an expert,” Cecchettin added. “I'm a father whose life changed forever two years ago. I lost my daughter, a lively, curious, and generous girl. From that day on, my world stopped, but I couldn't stay still, too.”

It is from that pain that the Giulia Cecchettin Foundation, not to "cultivate the memory of pain," but to "transform it into commitment." "If we don't change the culture that breeds violence," he warned, "we will continue to mourn other Julians, other families, other shattered lives."

“There are pains that will never be relieved”

Cecchettin also reflected on the trial of Philip Turetta. Seeking justice at all costs is instinctive, but there are some pains that can never be alleviated by any punishment. Continuing the process for another two or three years would lead to nothing concrete. I prefer to use my energy to create value.

She acknowledges that "our society is still patriarchal, and this is reflected in current events, language, and existing stereotypes. Much has been done legislatively, but it's difficult to break free from the dominant male model."

"We need more anti-violence centers and training for everyone."

During the hearing, Cecchettin also underlined the importance of the anti-violence centers, still too few compared to the need: "We need at least ten times as many. Many women don't find solutions because the facilities are overloaded. They need financial support and a coordinated network between the state, regions, and associations."

He then recalled the opening, in collaboration with Difference Woman, of a new anti-violence center in Rome: "It's the first line of assistance for women. We must join forces to ensure concrete help."

“We cannot change what has been, but we can change what will be.”

In closing his speech, Cecchettin delivered a powerful message: "We can't change what has been, but we can change what will be. For Giulia, and for all Giulias to come, I ask you to make a courageous choice: believing in education as the first form of justice, as the true form of prevention."