I survived abuse

5 May is the National day against child abuse and child pornography in Italy, established by Italian law 41/2009.

The aim was to raise public awareness of the widespread phenomenon of CSA: I still don't understand what has changed since 2009, to tell the truth.

ART 1. On the occasion of the National Day [...] activities MAY be organised to raise public awareness on the fight against child abuse.

Art 3. The implementation of this Article shall not entail new or increased burdens on the public budget.

I am afraid these words are of no help if the authorities do not recognise that child abuse is not only a crime but a systemic problem. On the contrary, I expect the State (and its territorial jurisdictions) to assume those 'increased burdens' and allocate more resources from public finance. Those ‘activities' MAY NOT only be organised (spontaneously) but MUST be.

Since that year, we still do not have up-to-date and reliable data, official and reference sources to interact with (feeling safe and not under judgement), efficient and safe legal devices for those who choose to expose themselves, accessible therapeutic measures to protect survivors.

Survivors who, in Italy, are not only white and cisgender; but also racialised, disabled, non-binary, and migrants.

But I am aware that since 2013 an charity has been operating in Italy and online that is a reference point for adult people who identify with a history of abuse and mistreatment. Meti is a safe place for me: my wish for today is that there are more Meti's places around, because it is a job that no single association can do over such a vast territory and in the face of the stratification of such a systemic problem.