Italian President Sergio Mattarella visited the “Stanza Rosa” (Pink Room) at the Misericordia Hospital in Grosseto to highlight national efforts against gender-based violence, according to local news reports. The visit brought attention to the “Codice Rosa” (Pink Code) protocol, an integrated medical and social model created in 2009 by local physician Vittoria Doretti to assist victims of abuse.
Sergio Mattarella Highlights Gender-Based Violence Crisis in Grosseto
During his address at the hospital’s auditorium, President Mattarella warned that gender-based violence remains a severe and persistent crisis, pointing to official data showing 34 femicides during the first half of 2026, according to local reports. Mattarella emphasized that stopping the violence requires addressing a cultural lag and a lack of basic humanity. He called for expanded prevention, professional training across universities, and early education in schools to instill fundamental human values. According to local reports, the president left an empty seat in the auditorium dedicated to the memory of all victims of violence. Local figures presented him with a book about the Codice Rosa published in three languages, a white rose with a red ribbon, and a terracotta sculpture created by local artist Luca Tavarnesi depicting a traditional Maremma horseman.
Origins and Evolution of the Codice Rosa Protocol
The Codice Rosa protocol began in 2009 as a local initiative in Grosseto developed by Dr. Vittoria Doretti and her team, as reported. It expanded into a regional pilot experience in 2010 and covered the entire Tuscany region between 2014 and 2015. Paola Pasqualini, president of the Grosseto Order of Surgeons and Dentists, noted via reports that the protocol establishes a protected, confidential pathway within emergency departments and hospitals. The model brings together multidisciplinary teams—including doctors, nurses, law enforcement, the judiciary, and social services—to handle sensitive cases involving women, children, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals, as well as hate crimes tied to discrimination and prejudice starting in 2025. President Mattarella credited the initial group of 40 healthcare workers who launched the project in 2009, noting that the network now involves approximately 800 operators providing integrated medical, familial, and psychological support.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Codice Rosa? According to reports, the Codice Rosa is a protected, confidential hospital pathway designed to assist victims of abuse, providing specialized medical care alongside forensic evidence collection and legal support.
- Where did the protocol originate? The model was created in 2009 at the Misericordia Hospital in Grosseto by Dr. Vittoria Doretti, before expanding across Tuscany and later serving as a national guideline across Italy.
- Who is eligible for assistance under the protocol? Initially focused primarily on women experiencing abuse, the protocol assists children, the elderly, vulnerable individuals, and, starting in 2025, victims of hate crimes motivated by prejudice or discrimination.
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