New "rape list" at Vallisneri High School: after Rome, the case arrives in Lucca.

This morning, in the men's restrooms at the Antonio Vallisneri scientific high school in Lucca, a list containing the names of two girls was found under the heading "rape list." A phallic symbol drawn in black marker was also found nearby. The school principal was promptly notified, who ordered the writing to be removed immediately and notified the police. Officers from the Lucca Police Headquarters immediately began an investigation to identify the perpetrators, who remain unknown at this time.

An episode that follows by a few days the case of the Giulio Cesare in Rome

What's most striking is the close proximity to a similar incident that occurred just a few days ago at the Giulio Cesare classical high school in Rome. On that occasion, the names of eight girls and one boy appeared under the same heading in the boys' restrooms of the school. The complaint was made public by the student collective Zero Alibi and sparked widespread outrage, reaching as far as Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, who called the incident "a serious matter that must be investigated and severely punished." The principal of the Giulio Cesare high school also described it as "obtuse graffiti vandalism," urging teachers to implement new training initiatives against gender violence.

The shadow of emulation

The similarity between the two cases, both in their dynamics and the language used, immediately led many observers—from teachers to students, and even families—to hypothesize a copycat episode. At Vallisneri, as in Rome, the message appeared within a frame that suggested the intention to expand the list with additional names. Sources within the Lucca school report that the incident was not perceived as a "prank," but rather as a disturbing act that must be addressed seriously.

The reactions of the school and the students

The emotional impact within Vallisneri High School was immediate. The wall was repainted that same afternoon, removing all traces of the graffiti, but the students' dismay was not allayed by the paint. Student representatives expressed strong dissent and publicly distanced themselves from the gesture, emphasizing that it did not represent the school community in the slightest. Numerous young men and women interviewed also called the incident a "stupid imitation," while acknowledging that it should not be downplayed.

The point of view of school staff

Antonio Mercuri, secretary of the Lucca Flc CGIL, commented on the incident, noting that Vallisneri is a large, well-structured school, strongly committed to inclusion and acceptance, thanks in part to the "Liberamente" project and other cross-sector initiatives. For this reason, he explained, the news took staff and union representatives by surprise, who immediately expressed solidarity with the principal and offered their support.

Investigations underway and responsibilities to be clarified

The Police Headquarters is continuing its investigation to identify those responsible and is not currently ruling out any possibility. School authorities have also launched an internal investigation to precisely reconstruct the timing, circumstances, and possible witnesses of the incident.

A phenomenon not to be underestimated

The Rome incident had already sparked a broad debate on symbolic violence, youth misogyny, and the forms of sexualization that can emerge in school environments. The appearance of a new "rape list" in Lucca further fuels this debate, demonstrating how certain acts can spread with disarming speed, exploiting the media coverage of previous incidents. For many, this is a wake-up call that should be heeded carefully, because the line between provocation, sick irony, and symbolic violence can be dangerously thin, especially in contexts frequented by adolescents.

A community that reacts

Despite the shock, Vallisneri's reaction was immediate and united. Students, teachers, and administrators reiterated that the school's identity does not coincide with isolated, violent acts, and that the community intends to continue to defend a respectful environment. The removal of the graffiti was only the first step: now the focus is on education, dialogue, and combating all forms of rape culture, ensuring that similar incidents never find fertile ground again.