Quando la paura è nascere donna

The distinctive feature of violent crimes committed against women lies in the gender of the victim. The male perpetrator is often someone who has, or has had, a relationship with the female victim, and the criminal conduct is triggered by this relationship, whether ongoing or already over. In this paper, I explore this aspect, examining how the legislator and the law have addressed the issue of the victim’s fear in gender-based crimes to ensure her safety, prevent the escalation of violence, and bring the perpetrators to justice. Finally, I mention some cases that I have handled as a defense attorney for victims of domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual violence, also in order to reveal the context in which these crimes happen and the emotions of the women involved.