by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Fabrizio Cicero, president of the regional Despar nord in Fvg; Pierpaolo Roberti, FVG councilor for safety
In the month dedicated to raising awareness about violence against women, Despar Nord and the regional police headquarters of Friuli Venezia Giulia have launched a new information campaign to support victims and promote a culture of respect.
The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, aims to make information about support services more accessible and to encourage prevention through awareness in everyday spaces.
The campaign was presented during a joint press conference at Trieste City Hall, attended by Mayor Roberto Dipiazza; Pierpaolo Roberti, the regional councillor for local government, public administration, security and immigration; Lilia Fredella, the police commissioner of Trieste; Luigi Di Ruscio, commissioner of Gorizia; Pasquale Antonio de Lorenzo, commissioner of Udine; Mara Ferasin, deputy commissioner of Pordenone; and Fabrizio Cicero, regional director of Despar Nord for Friuli Venezia Giulia.
From November 1 through 30, Despar Nord supermarkets across the region will distribute informational flyers outlining the different forms of violence, the warning signs, and the main channels for seeking help. In addition, store receipts will feature the national anti-violence helpline number, 1522, alongside a QR code linking to a dedicated page on the Despar Nord website that lists regional anti-violence centers and emergency support services.
Through this initiative, the regional police headquarters and Despar Nord reaffirm their shared commitment to combat gender-based violence and promote prevention in accessible, everyday settings such as supermarkets.
“Safety begins with information, and only through a strong and united network can we effectively combat all forms of violence,” said Trieste Mayor Roberto Dipiazza. “This social scourge cannot be tolerated or downplayed. Initiatives like this demonstrate that collaboration between public institutions and private entities adds real value to an ethical and civic struggle that belongs to our entire community.”
Regional Councillor Pierpaolo Roberti praised the effort as an example of civic responsibility: “The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region strongly supports projects like this, which reach citizens directly. Seeing local businesses stand alongside the State Police in such widespread awareness campaigns confirms that civic responsibility is both a business value and a resource for our entire community. It’s essential to build a society in which every citizen feels actively involved in combating violence.”
“Every day, the State Police works to protect and to listen,” said Trieste Police Commissioner Lilia Fredella. “With this initiative, we want to reaffirm that gender-based violence is not a private matter but a collective responsibility. Partnerships like the one with Despar Nord form a vital network of prevention and support, helping bring institutions closer to citizens through simple, immediate tools such as a flyer or a receipt. We want every woman to know she is not alone — that a community is ready to listen, support, and stand beside her.”
Fabrizio Cicero, regional director of Despar Nord, emphasized the company’s long-term involvement in similar initiatives: “Through this collaboration, which we have carried on for several years, we aim to raise awareness about issues that directly affect our communities. Our stores can serve as places of information and support, even for those facing very difficult circumstances. Supporting institutions and promoting a culture of respect and prevention is, for us, a moral duty as much as a corporate responsibility.”
