The recent femicides of Ilaria Sula and Sara Campanella have sparked national outrage in Italy, raising troubling questions about societal attitudes towards gender-based violence.

Psychiatrist Paolo Crepet has emphasized the psychological and cultural factors contributing to such tragedies, characterizing the male perpetrators as individuals who often struggle with their own limitations.

He states, "It is a recurring pattern: the impotence of men who are not able to confront their limits, resulting in the murder of a woman—often one who places her trust in them.

It has become a fact that nearly all victims of this impotence are women."

Crepet highlights the notion of "invisibility" concerning the perpetrators, suggesting that many do not display overt signs of violence before committing such acts.

He contrasts the victims, who are often pursuing aspirations like higher education and fulfilling careers, with men who lack similar ambitions, calling them mediocre.

"A young man without a strong dream, floating in his inconclusiveness, often doesn't manifest visible signs of danger but remains a significant concern," he notes.

When questioned whether societal focus should solely be on those exhibiting signs of violence, Crepet reiterates the importance of paying attention to those who seem lackluster and devoid of direction.

"Those who do not cultivate aspirations often hide a terrifying void.

We are currently nurturing this void and, alarmingly, celebrating it in some cases."

Recalling the tragic Novi Ligure murders from 25 years ago—where the perpetrators also seemed like ordinary young people—Crepet laments society's failure to adequately listen to youth.

He describes the challenges families face in addressing these serious issues, stating that education alone cannot dismantle deeply entrenched patriarchal norms.

He cites the inadequacy of merely a few hours of affective education in schools as a means to counteract a millennia-old cultural problem.

Crepet points to the difficulty of engaging in meaningful conversations with children, stressing the necessity for parents to ask simple yet profound questions about their wellbeing.

"If we cannot even ask our children, 'How are you?' what are we really discussing?" he argues.

Furthermore, he dismisses the notion of a growing generational divide in communication, asserting that discussions have always varied across ages.

He emphasizes the responsibility to teach younger generations the value of effort in work and relationships, warning that without this understanding, they may struggle to appreciate connections with others.

In light of the challenges facing familial relationships, Crepet raises a critical question regarding the time families spend together.

He suggests that the brief, distracted interactions often experienced over meals indicate a larger issue of disconnection, asserting that the lack of deep listening fosters a form of silent death in relationships.

Crepet expresses that these violent acts extend beyond their immediate victims, affecting broader society.

"These murders do not impact only the families of victims; they concern us all.

It is a cultural problem that we must collectively address."

He acknowledges that the circumstances surrounding the recent femicide of Ilaria Sula, who was killed in the company of her alleged assailant’s parents, raise complex legal and ethical challenges.

Yet, he refrains from making judgments, stating, "I believe the authorities will clarify the details, and it is not my place to comment on this matter.

There are still many unclear aspects."

The ongoing dialogue surrounding these serious issues highlights the urgent need for cultural reflection and systematic change in addressing gender-based violence in Italy.