"For the first time, I really felt what it means to be a victim of threats"
Francesca Bergesio, winner of the Miss Italia 2023 crown, and her father, Northern League senator Giorgio Maria Bergesio, became the subject of serious threats on social media by a 32-year-old from Lombardy, who operated under a fake Facebook profile in the name of a woman.
"I know where you live, I will come and rape you, I will kill you and your father," were some of the shocking messages sent in December 2023, which led to the launch of a joint investigation by the Postal Police and the Cuneo Flying Squad, under the direction of the deputy prosecutor of Asti, Laura Deodato.
The perpetrator was identified and ended up on trial on charges of aggravated threats. He was eventually found guilty, but after pleading guilty and paying restitution, his 3-month prison sentence was converted to 180 hours of community service.
"I was scared. He wrote that he knew where I lived. Can you imagine how difficult it is to deal with this when you are alone?", confessed Francesca Bergesio, who is now active as an actress and model. She recalled that she was in her early days as Miss Italy when the event occurred and that it was her mother who read the first alarming message, while managing the Facebook profile.
"For the first time, I really felt what it means to be a victim of threats. I kept thinking: 'Francesca, he knows your house,'" she said, underlining that the experience has made her even more aware of the topic of gender-based violence.
The former Miss Italy emphasized that during the competition for the national crown she had chosen to speak specifically about gender violence, through a monologue specially prepared for this topic.
"I reported it for the good of all. Today I am even more convinced of the importance of this battle," she declared.
The event has once again sparked debate about women's safety online, as well as the importance of seriously addressing threats on social networks, which increasingly cross the boundaries of words and turn into real fear for victims.
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