Chiara Balistreri, a young woman from Bologna, recently faced her former boyfriend Gabriel Constantin in court, marking a significant moment in her battle against domestic violence. Chiara, now 22 years old, had endured years of abuse from Gabriel, who was arrested on charges of violence after evading the law for two years.
Describing her emotions leading up to the court appearance, Chiara recalled, "I didn’t know until the last moment if he would be there, but shortly before the hearing, my lawyer warned me he was present, along with his mother." This moment was filled with tension, considering she hadn’t seen Gabriel since he last broke her nose on Valentine's Day 2022. "I experienced a knot in my stomach. I hadn't seen him for three years and the last time was when he broke my nose," she said, reflecting on the difficulty of confronting someone who had caused her so much pain.
Chiara's story began when she was only 14 years old, shortly after meeting Gabriel. What started as what she thought was love quickly devolved as Gabriel revealed his true colors. The first slap was only the beginning of a nightmare where violence became the norm. "I became accustomed to justifying his actions," she added. Gabriel would often manipulate Chiara, telling her, "If I’m hitting you, it’s your fault for provoking me," forcing her to see the violence as her own responsibility.
Despite attempts from her mother to intervene, including filing reports with social services, Chiara initially returned to Gabriel, believing his promises to change. Their relationship continued to spiral downward, with incidents of violence increasing. "He would whip me with the dog leash and then comfort me post-attack, claiming to love me," she narrated, highlighting the disturbing patterns of abuse.
It wasn’t until the severity of the violence escalated, culminating in the incident where he broke her nose, prompting Chiara to seek help. The assault led to police involvement as the code red for domestic violence was enacted during her trip to the hospital. This was the pivotal moment where Chiara finally decided to take legal action.
Unfortunately, their ordeal did not end with Gabriel’s initial arrest. He managed to evade authorities, becoming a fugitive for over two years, all the meanwhile continuing to threaten Chiara and her family. "I was terrified, wondering if he would ever come back to hurt me," she expressed, illustrating the constant fear she lived under.
His subsequent capture last year was reported as bittersweet; Chiara expressed gratitude but also frustration at the system which had failed to protect her continuously. Adding to her sentiments, she shared concerns about how he had previously escaped custody twice. Recently, Gabriel has been placed under house arrest again, and Chiara was disheartened by the judicial leniency. "I will not accept his apologies. For me, it’s an insult. They would be unearned, unbelievable apologies. He had three years to apologize and instead, he continued threatening me on social media until his arrest," she reiterated passionately.
Today, Chiara is committed to advocating for domestic violence victims, using her voice to shed light on the issues many face similar to hers. "I prefer to record this from alive before becoming the next victim of femicide," she stated, emphasizing her determination to raise awareness and prevent such tragedies.
Chiara’s testimony serves not only to highlight her own experience but to draw attention to the broader systemic failures encountered by victims of intimate partner violence. Her tireless pursuit for justice and safety remains unwavering as she awaits the court's verdict, scheduled for April 2025. With each appearance on platforms like Verissimo, she continues to share her story, offering hope and resilience to countless others suffering in silence.
Despite the long road of recovery, Chiara Balistreri remains steadfast, reminding society of the urgent need for change and support for victims of domestic violence. Her story is not just about survival but also about reclaiming one's life and calling for justice—echoing the cries of many who share similar realities.