Teramo, abused at 13 by her singing teacher: “I, molested as a child: report it without shame”

She managed to put everything behind her after a difficult uphill journey which, however, she was able to face thanks to the immense support especially from her mother. And today that she is able to calmly talk about what she experienced, a sexual assault when she was just 13 years old by her private singing teacher, she does so to send a clear and decisive message to all women who unfortunately, like her, find themselves victims of these crimes: «Report without fear of shame because the people who love you will remain close to you».

THE STORY

Eleven years ago, when Paola (not her real name) was molested by her singing teacher, she wasn’t even able to tell what was happening to her. “I had feelings of guilt, the fear of being judged and the fear of a reaction from my parents.” Who, however, when they found out, were always there for her. Her mother became the lighthouse of her life. «But if I went back – Paola confirms today – I would report him immediately». That man, who is now a 70-year-old retired man, underwent a trial and his conviction just recently became final with the Supreme Court which declared the appeal inadmissible. He never ended up in prison, Paola, however, did not go looking for revenge, but for what she managed to obtain: «Now I have closed the chapter, I didn’t think I needed the victory of this trial itself».
«From everything I have experienced, I have to say that women do not report the violence they suffer mainly because of the shame and all the criticism they then receive, but they must move forward» she admits. Paola is a 24 year old girl who works and studies. When she speaks she shows a maturity beyond her age, probably also due to the therapeutic path she followed.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT

“I stopped as soon as I could, but psychological support is good for everyone because it lightens the burdens we have.” In her fundamental life there was also another figure, a private piano teacher. It was to him that at a certain point in her adolescence she confided, making him understand that something terrible had happened with her previous singing teacher. But she had asked him to keep it a secret. Then it happened that one day she fainted when her mother went to pick her up from class and she, together with that teacher, was taken to the hospital. “It was he who told the doctor my terrible secret and I will never stop thanking him” says the girl. After that moment the complaints were also made and the lives of all the members of Paola’s family were turned upside down. However, they remained united and made it through together. Their strength was precisely this: rallying around Paola and not leaving her alone. «My mother was very close to me – she often repeats she-she. She is a wonderful woman who I admire very much. I was lucky to have her and my family by my side. They were my salvation.”

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