A former Italian senator is facing intense scrutiny following a deeply insensitive comment made regarding a survivor of horrific domestic violence. Vincenzo D’Anna’s remarks, described as callous adn dismissive, have ignited debate about the language used when discussing trauma and the ongoing issue of violence against women in Italy and beyond. The controversy centers on D’Anna’s response to a post about Valentina Pitzalis, who suffered life-altering injuries in a 2006 attack by her than-husband, and who continues to advocate for victims despite enduring years of hardship and secondary victimisation.
An Italian ex-senator is facing widespread criticism after defending a controversial comment he made about a woman severely burned by her former husband. The incident underscores the ongoing debate surrounding domestic violence and the language used to discuss such trauma.
Vincenzo D’Anna, a 74-year-old former politician whose career spanned the Democrazia Cristiana and Forza Italia parties, and who currently serves as president of the Federation of Regional Biologists (Fnob), responded to an Instagram post about Valentina Pitzalis with the phrase, “Some like their wives cooked, others raw.” Pitzalis was brutally attacked by her ex-husband 14 years ago and continues to advocate for victims of gender-based violence.
The comment was brought to light by journalist Selvaggia Lucarelli, a vocal supporter of Pitzalis and her work. Despite significant public backlash and calls for clarification, D’Anna has doubled down on his statement, claiming it was intended as sarcasm in response to a question posed by Pitzalis herself. He further dismissed his critics as “semi-literate moralists” who failed to grasp the context or his intended irony.
In 2006, Pitzalis was doused in kerosene and set on fire by her then-husband, Manuel Piredda. Piredda died in the blaze. Pitzalis survived, but suffered horrific and permanent injuries, including extensive burns, the amputation of her left hand, and impaired function in her right hand. She endured nearly 20 minutes of burning, and has since become a powerful voice for change.
Following her ordeal, Pitzalis also faced years of secondary victimization and accusations from the ex-husband’s family, who falsely claimed she was responsible for his death – accusations from which she was fully exonerated.
Pitzalis dedicates her time to raising awareness about gender-based violence, recently speaking to over 2,000 students at the Arcimboldi theater in Milan. She is scheduled to appear at the Teatro Carcano in Milan on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, alongside Selvaggia Lucarelli to share her story.
