Tragic Killing of University Student Highlights Stalking Issue in Italy

The recent murder of 22-year-old Sara Campanella, a student at the University of Messina, has sent shockwaves through Italy, where a rising number of femicides has become a pressing concern. Campanella was fatally attacked by a stalker, identified as 27-year-old Stefano Argentino, in broad daylight on the streets of Messina. Witnesses reported hearing her desperate cries for help as she tried to escape. Despite attempts by a passer-by to intervene, Campanella succumbed to her injuries shortly after.

Prosecutors revealed that Argentino had been persistently harassing Campanella since she started her university education two years prior. Despite his numerous attempts to engage with her, Campanella felt that his behavior wasn’t threatening enough to warrant police involvement. In a chilling message sent shortly before the attack, she informed friends that "that sick guy is following me." Following the incident, Campanella's mother and brother passionately called for greater awareness and action against harassment and violence. They condemned the societal attitude that fails to recognize the severity of stalking and the impact of rejection.

In a reflection of the pervasive issue, Mara Carfagna, a former minister, emphasized the need for collective action against the culture of violence affecting women in Italy, which continues to see a distressing pattern of deaths linked to rejected advances. Campanella's tragedy comes amidst a wave of recent femicides, underscoring urgent calls for change in societal handling of such matters. As attention shifts to other violent crimes, advocates stress that it's vital to maintain focus on issues like this one and encourage women to speak out against harassment. The message from Campanella’s family resonates: to help bring about justice and change, all voices must be heard loudly against gender-based violence.