by InTrieste
Supermarket aisles across Friuli Venezia Giulia are once again featuring a striking symbol: bright red shoes placed at store entrances, meant to draw attention to gender-based violence. The installation, organized annually by Despar Nord, coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and appears this year in every region where the company operates.
The display centers on a simple message — “Violence is not an act of love” — which anchors the broader campaign. For the retailer, the initiative is intended as a public gesture of solidarity with survivors and a reminder of the persistent need to promote respect, equality, and personal freedom. Red shoes, long used in Italy and elsewhere as a symbol of women harmed or killed by domestic abuse, were chosen for their stark visual impact.
Despar Nord officials say the effort aims to encourage shoppers to recognize signs of abuse and to support those who seek help. The company has expanded its outreach this year through a partnership with the Italian State Police as part of the national campaign bearing the same slogan. The collaboration, carried out with the Interior Ministry and local police headquarters across the region, is designed to make information about support services more accessible to the public.
Throughout November, stores are distributing leaflets listing emergency contacts, regional anti-violence centers, and instructions for using YouPol, a mobile app created by the police to report dangerous situations — anonymously, if needed. Even supermarket receipts have been enlisted in the effort: for the entire month, they include a multilingual message promoting Italy’s 24-hour national anti-violence hotline, 1522, and a QR code linking directly to regional resources.
Company representatives say the goal is simple: to reach people where they are, offering practical guidance and emphasizing that seeking help is both possible and encouraged.
