Video of the day

This commercial demonstrates the unbearable trauma, sexual abused children suffer from.

Client: Dunkelziffer
Agency: Red Rabbit
Creative Director: Oliver Seltmann, Jan Fröscher
Copywriter: Joakim Reveman, Bjoern Ruehmann, Matthew Branning
Art Director: Bjoern Ruehmann, Joakim Reveman, Matthew Branning
Director: The Vikings
Production: Rokkit
Producer: Luke Jacobs
Director of Photography: Sam Brown
Editor: Paul Hardcastle
Post Production: Absolute Post London

Happy Easter!

Media Quake

Earthquake hits central Italy
A large earthquake of magnitude 6.3 hit central Italy in the early hours of Monday morning

L'aquila (Italy) - 6th april, 2009 - A large earthquake of magnitude 6.3 hit central Italy in the early hours of Monday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. Buildings were reported collapsed in the centre of Aquila, capital of the Abruzzo region, 50 miles north-east of Rome and close to the quake's epicentre. According to the website of the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, police in the town, which has a population of 73,000, said people were trapped in the rubble and that many people could be injured. Residents in Rome were woken by the quake when it struck at about 3.30am local time. Rafael Abreu, of the USGS described the event as a shallow quake and said that the region had been hit by a smaller magnitude 4 quake earlier in the day. The USGS had earlier estimated that the quake measured 6.7. Abreu said residents in the area should be braced for aftershocks, adding: "This is a significant quake, a shallow quake with possibility of damage and injuries." The country's civil protection services were reportedly being called in to help residents affected by the quake and a local reporter, Nick Pisa, told Sky News that people were assembling in the streets in Rome, which is rarely affected by seismic events, braced for aftershocks. Local reports described furniture rattling and car alarms being set off. The quake was the latest and strongest in a series to hit the l'Aquila area on Sunday and Monday. Earthquakes can be particularly dangerous in parts of Italy, which is a treasure house of centuries-old buildings.

(Source: newsfood.com)

From mother to child

When you think to have reached rock bottom, start to dig.

Arrested a 61 y.o. retired and two 38 and 39 y.o. cousins
The victims, 6 and 7 y.o., has already been taken from their families

Abuses on his lovers' daughters
Three arrests near Matera (Italy)

MATERA, 2d april 2009 - Another astonishing case of sexual abuse on children. The victimsa are two little girls of six and seven years old, in a situation of decay and neglicence. The police in Policoro (Italy) has arrested today a retired 61 years old man and two 38 and 29 y.o. women, cousins to each other. The man, who lives together of one of the women, had a relationship with the other too, and he sexually abuses of both of their daughters. The women was in agreement with that and they threaten the children to say nothing. Moreover, the little girls was forced to attend while adults have sex.

LThe investigation was started becaues of the report put in a claim by the social services, when the little girls were taken from their families in the last year spring. The arrests was ordered by the judge in Matera: the man is in jail, while the women are in house arrest.

(Source: repubblica.it)

The Love Train

Abused at 8 years old and forced to abuse a 5 years old boy

The man was framed by the abused 10yo boy forced to abuse another 5yo child. «A logic and clear tale» says the police chief Francesco Messina who, with great embarassement (he's a dad too), explaining a story he never wanted to tell. It's a story of human insanity which involved two young children and put in jail a 42yo workman from Equador who worked like a gardener in community for difficult children. The child was 8 when everything happened. A smart boy from a family with problems. He has no father and the mother had problems with drugs in the past: now she has a work. The child frequented a religious community and became fond of Shiki Tankamash, 42 years old, workman in a factory in Arese (near Milan) who lives in Rosate. «a sort of father figure» tell vice-quaestor Alessandra Simone. Availing himself of the opportunity, the man acted a three steps plan. «Firstly, he took him to see some fishes - explains the head of police - then he started to touch him. He invited him at home saying there was his nephew and he could play with him. Finally, he abused him, threaten him to say nothing to his mother». He didn't stop here: «You have to make the same things we make with your 5 y.o. little friend». A risk he paid dearly. The younger boy told to his mother who was frightened and contacted the mother of the older one. Together, they went in the community and involed the religious men. The child (10 y.o. nowadays) was interrogated two times with a psychologist and told a story which framed the monster. Particulars confirmed by his 5yo friend. The head of police gave another significant information: «94 per cent of the abuses take place in the own houses, the others on the street.»

(Fonte: corriere.it)

Photo of the day

Robin

Bitter controversy for the song "Robin", included in the last album of the 74 years old italian singer Gino Paoli, famous for songs like "A tast of salt". The song talks about a 70 years old pedophile who dies in the arms of a little girl while he is abusing of her. The caress of the child seems an act of mercy which shocked the public opinion.

Robin

She has the eyes like a robin
she was an eleven years old woman
she lifted up the skirt to jump over the ditch
she was dressed in red.

While she was crossing that garden
she met a 70 years old child
he still wanted to seize everything
and he didn't know what's good and what's bad

and he catch her with spite
she found her legs up
he was searching what to do
there was fear and there was pain.

And the pain took him in the heart
like it happens with the first love
and so she takes him in her arms
with the small hands caressed his face
then he fallen asleep to rest forever
like a child tired to play.

Merry Christmas!

Video of the day

Child Porn

ROME, 8th November, 2008 - People who use pedopornography in Italy are tripled in four years, with an increment of 188% compared with 2004. That means Italy is in fifth place for pedophilia on Internet.

Italian organization "Telefono Arcobaleno" gave 37.263 warnings, 850 a week, 122 a day, with an increment of 21,56% compared with the last year.

Germany, USA, Russia, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, France, Japan, in other words the G8 countries - are the first eight countries who use child porn, about the three fourth of the world's exchanges.

The chart follows with Switzerland, Spain and Netherland. Telefono Arcobaleno says that "this market of horror has is focal point in Europe: over 90% of exploited children are european, 86% of child porn is in Europe, two third of clients are european".

The report is about sites with explicit contents about pedophilia and child porn.

(Source: repubblica.it)

Crucified Woman

MILAN - a leaflet for the campaign to combat violence against women: a naked woman in the crucified position, with the cloth which traditionally cover Jesus' groin and the inscription: "Who pays fof men's sins?". And the subtitle: "Only 4% of the women victims of violence denounce their own persecutor. The others pay for him too". This is the proposal arrived to Milan's Publicity Office from Telefono Donna (Women Phone) for the campaign on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which will take place in 25th november.

The request is to expose 500 leaflets with this image in public space of the municipal district of Milan. In the leaflet the woman is lying down on a sheet, two pillows behind the open arms, legs with overlapped feet, palm of the hands lying down, as pierced by nails, in the traditional christian iconografic position of Jesus.

The town councillor for the urban furniture Maurizio Cadeo, is unwilling. He explains: "I don't know if I can refuse the spaces, but I totally repel the content which offends our christian tradition. I put the political problem and I will inform the mayor: I will ask to Telefono Donna to withdrawal the leeflet".

"I will let councillor Cadeo to decide. It's difficult to give a judgement. Judgements risk to be personal. It's not easy". This is what the mayor, Letizia Moratti, says during a presentation at Fieramilanocity, to answer about the leaflet.

"I am honoured because of what the mayor said. She shows care, class and sensibility. She has my approval, she didn't fall in the trap of who wants the fight. Unfortunately others are not her same level". This is the way Stefania Bartoccetti, founder of Telefono Donna, intervenes as regard what the mayor said.

"It seems deplorable to me - Bartoccetti says - the behaves of councillor Cadeo: he just could call me to tell he doesn't agree with the image, he still didn't do that. It's not fair he accuse me to use the religious theme in an offensive way: if I didn't have faith I could not testify my effort for violence victims. The mayor understood this and this is the reason she assumed that position. I thanks for her sensibiliy for an organization which works since 16 years, with 75 thousand cases resolved".

"We never started to print 500 leaflets if we didn't have the town authorization. But we have. The councillor didn't tell me anything about his objections. I know that now and I am surprised. We already have permission for the image and the spaces and we already asked for the terms of delivery. We have 500 of them in 100x140 size. I am surprised and I think this is not the right way to proceeed: give permission and then raise objection to the press. If they said they don't agree the leaflets we didn't proceed". The campaign, Bartoccetti explains, was created by Arnord Worldwide Italy.

"For sure it's a strong image and a strong impact message - Bartoccetti says - but the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women doesn't talk about candies, and in a campaign we can't just give numbers. Our mission is to pay attention and give voice to who lives this violences, and their real-life story is : I feel myself crucified. The message we want to give is a deep suffering one: for Heaven's sake, it's not comparable with Jesus' one, but is a deep suffering anyway". No intention, Bartoccetti specify, "to contrast town administration, even if I didn't expect this reaction after a given authorization".

"We ask for the immediate withdrawal of this campaign, which pursues a fair purpose exploiting the Christianity symbol". This is the position of the leader of AN at the town hall, Carlo Fidanza. "We need more respect for our cultural heritage. They talk a lot about dignity: this leaflets contrast dignity, common sense and public morals".

"I invite Telefono Donna to work more on concrete proposals rather than aping Oliviero Toscani. That image is in bad taste". This is the way the Forza Italia's leader at the town hall, Giulio Gallera, intervenes about the leaflets. "Sensitization on violence against women has to be tackled in a way different than images which has in bad taste and offend religious. Telefono donna should work more on concrete proposals".

(Fonti: repubblica.it, affariitaliani.it)

One God

UDINE - A priest and an Imam, professional men and studetns, workers and white-collars: the police says there is "a quite full cross-section of italian society" in the investigation about pedopornography; 98 people investigated, 118 computers and a lot of material seized.

The operation has been called "I West". Investigated people are between 26 and 59 years old and "are of all ranks" police chief Romeo Tuliozzi says. "There are also ministers of catholic and musulman religion". Impressive the numbers about the material seized: a lot of pc, 168 hard disk, 3.634 cd, 678 dvd, 579 videotapes and 49 pendrivers.

The investigation started 'monitoring' an internet site, where you have to pay 98 dollars to access to, and which advertize pedopornography material only. The server was in USA, while the society was in Minsk (Belarus). Contacts with U.S. Immigration Department and Internet Crimes Departmente in Minsk help to defeat the 'gang'.

In Belarus, they seized four million dollars earned with online purchases of illegal material.

In Italy, police arrested a town clerk and a worker.
In the last week police search their houses and an office where they seized a computer. Then, they arrested them.

Operation "I West" follows another one which bring other two people in jail: a shop assistant and a worker. The second one had about 50 CD and DVD and thousand illegal pictures. Both of them denies the charges.

(Source: repubblica.it)

The Death of the journalism

After a long time of inactivity (I will come back with new comics soon) today I let to speak a visitor of my blog who write me about a news published here one years ago. It seems the facts reported was not exactly, or however they was mangled. It's not a newelty in the journalism nowadays: it's not my duty to make all clear, but it's fair to listen another point of view.
I also masked the names reported in the newspaper article: I think this will not steal anything to intent to report what happens around us.

You can read the original comment in the italian version of the post. I translate it here:

hi, I don't know where to begin from, they talk about my family. my mother is a prostitute from years, a life. For 4 years she prostitute herself with my sister; one year ago on the newspaper they said she was 15, but she was 17. it was not the first time in Reggio Calabria, and unfortunately the boy was not the first to go in jail, they was in France too where other boys went in jail because of them, I can send you the newspaper from Marsille.... it was the same story, I live in Italy as a nurse, I an not in contact with them, I am not able to stop them, they search for men... and that rascals goes in jail. I called her when I read the newspaper, and she told me she was not in a coffin, she was in an office with coffins all around, and she was there, not my 15yo sister. I am sorry because people read the newspaper and become sad, I am sorry to be born in this family, I am sorry for that boy's family who pay for my mother's whole life mistakes, she was always been like this, my father suffered because of her... if you want I have proof of this, I want to talk with a journalist, I can demonstrate with proof... I am worn-out, believe me! Veruska, thanks to have understrand me. I can answer to questions or show proof in any moment if you are interested in it.

Head shots

ROME (21th july) - A FRENCH tourist beat his four-year-old daughter's head against the stone base of a Rome monument so hard she was left in a coma, police said yesterday. Bambino Gesu paediatric hospital said she had suffered severe head injuries and was in a coma. Her condition was last night described as "critical but stable".

Blood still stained the pavement of the Altar of the Nation hours after the girl was beaten late on Saturday night.

Carabinieri Lieutenant-Colonel Antonello Casarsa said the man, identified as Julien Monnet, 37, repeatedly struck the head of his daughter, Luna, against the stone after a traffic officer asked to see some identification.

A Canadian tourist had told police that Monnet had been acting strangely toward the girl.

"He was holding the child in an unhealthy way. She was crying and screaming," the traffic officer, Anna Esposito, later told Italian state TV. When approached Monnet quickened his step, said Ms Esposito, then said something she couldn't understand when she asked him what he was doing.

"He was holding the girl by her arm and then started striking her head against the stone," she said.

Ms Esposito said the Canadian had then grabbed the child while she struggled to hold Monnet and called for help. "He was like a furious beast," Ms Esposito said.

Monnet was then surrounded by passers-by. He tried to break free and attempted to strike his own head on the monument, but onlookers prevented him, said Lt-Col Casarsa.

He said that a search had revealed medicine in Monnet's backpack which suggested he had been undergoing psychiatric treatment.

He added that Monnet lived with the child's mother near Paris. Police contacted her on holiday in Turkey from where she was flying to Rome. She told police she believed Monnet and her daughter were still in France.

Monnet was arrested and taken to Regina Coeli jail.

The woman in jeans has cropped hair and a pained look in her eyes. There’s a big red heart on her canary yellow top. This is a thumbnail portrait of a distraught young mother determined to protect her privacy. Fabienne Verdeille, 32, is the partner of Julien Monnet, the 37-year-old Frenchman who on Saturday evening beat his daughter Luna into unconsciousness. Ms Verdeille arrived in Rome at 1 pm yesterday from Turkey, where she had been holidaying with her sister, after a stop in Paris to pick up her mother and her mother’s partner.

As she started out on her agonizing tour of Rome’s hospitals, police stations and carabinieri barracks, Ms Verdeille requested and obtained a news blackout on the incident. This means it will be difficult to reconstruct events leading up to Saturday evening’s tragedy in Piazza Venezia. Julien Monnet, the IT technician who is Ms Verdeille’s partner and Luna’s father, has been charged with attempted murder. He will be questioned by magistrates tomorrow.
“It’s a human tragedy and a family tragedy”, was all Ms Verdeille had to say to reporters. She explicitly requested that her pain should be respected, in the hope of discouraging over-inquisitive reporters and obsessive media attention. “This isn’t some housewife from the banlieues”, commented on eye witness.



It is known that Ms Verdeille confirmed to carabinieri that Mr Monnet has suffered mental disturbances and has been taking medication for some time.

(Source: ilmessaggero.it, scotsman.com, corriere.it)

Photo of the day

Gheddafiction

This is the last comic from my old blog, and it is related to the wrong news about Gheddafi's death, about one year ago. Another good example of journalism. Here they will come the brand new Veruska comics!

The moon's sickle in the well

A comic about the two brothers from Gravina (Italy); they thought they was killed by their father, but it seems they just fallen down in a well where they died after a hour, without nobody listen their cry for help.

8 March: International Women Day

Video-Lover

I published this comic on 28th May, 2007 talking about people who sold naked child pictures from their mobiles in exchange for recharge.
This time is 40yo man, already sentenced for pedophilia and sexual abuses, who makes forbidden shooting of naked children having shower in a public swimming pool near Milan (Italy) with a small television camera.
Was one of the children to see and denounce him to his swimming teacher. In his house police found over one thousand photos, probably exchanged on the web.

Preteen Model

He took a roll to develop to a laboratory in a mall. But when the photographer seen the photos he could only call the police. They was four shots of a 9 years old little girl.

It was the last june and the police confiscated the photos and search the apartament of the man: a 60 years old architet.
Three years and 1200 euros the conviction, thanks to a discount because of the quick proceeding. Girl's parent was also invicted: they worked for the man and they say thay didn't know anything. Police suspects thay get money to let the man to shoot the girl.
"I am an artist, I am fond of these pictures" was the excuse of the man.

(Fonte: epolis Milano)