CREMONA – There are those who consider the phrase “Write to me when you get home” almost a declaration of love, but the other side of the coin is the fear that accompanies many women every evening as they travel the streets alone to return to their homes . And it is precisely to defeat this fear that the Whatsapp group called ‘Write when you get home’ was born, dedicated to girls or ladies from Lombardy and the eastern area of Piedmont: they can ask for company and support during the journey. All via smartphone.
The idea and the project are carried out by Laura Chiapparini of Cremona, for the Lombard part of the group, and from Silvia Sannino of Novara. The initiative is explained better by the former, who has long been at the forefront of many social battles and in the past was involved together with Silvia in the women’s association ‘Be Yourself’: «If a girl finds herself traveling alone, perhaps in the dark, and therefore with the fear of running into bad guys, she can write, send voice messages or even call».
«Naturally we don’t want to replace the police forces and the bodies that fight against violence against women – Laura specifies – nor cause confusion. Indeed, we remember and will always remember the importance of immediately dialing 112 in case of real danger, as well as 1522 in case you are a victim of violence and stalking. Our role is very different: we are committed to providing, as far as possible, a form of support, a sort of care, together with the members who in turn want to make themselves available to the project. In fact, through the group we try to combat anxiety and fears of those minutes of solitary walking, also to pass the time.” Through the chat components it could also be possible to activate interventions, request geolocation and therefore facilitate forms of help in the event that the person is unable to call for help independently.
Unfortunately, unpleasant encounters that generate worry and stress are far from uncommon. Although fortunately they rarely lead to aggression: «Often just one appreciation or a glance too many in an isolated street – continues Laura – can cause real fear in women who perhaps leave their work shift late, or simply have to return to the car park after an evening with friends. For example, it has happened to all of us to pretend to make a phone call to ward off someone who is getting too close. The idea of doing something concrete to prevent this feeling of unease came to me while reading an article that talked about the similar Whatsapp group that started in Turin, on the initiative of a girl from Puglia. I thought: ‘What a great idea, why don’t we do it here too?’ and I immediately contacted Silvia.”
Silvia Sannino from Novara and Laura Chiapparini from Cremona: they opened the group chat for women from Lombardy and Piedmont
In the meantime, similar initiatives have taken hold in some large Italian cities such as Bologna, Bari and Turin.. Female solidarity in the true sense of the term. The new Lombard-Piedmontese Whatsapp group has just been opened and has already reached around 50 members just through word of mouth. Anyone wishing to be part of it can request access – totally free as is the entire initiative which is based on voluntary commitment – via the link https://chat.whatsapp.com/H6j3if0weBwFchy49VPpwo.
«In a week there have already been those who have said that on a certain day they have to return to the car park alone and have asked for the possibility of video calling during those five minutes to feel more at ease – concludes Laura –. We will be the contacts, but everyone will contribute to the cause. Naturally, this is a group for women only and a small introduction will be required before accessing. The goal is also to remember the official channels for asking for help. And then raise awareness and exchange safety tips.” According to Istat, 49% of women don’t feel safe going out alone in the evening, even if it’s just a few steps in the neighborhood near their home: almost one in two, therefore, is afraid.
