Femicides decrease, but so-called "spy crimes" increase in the four-year period 2018-2021: stalking, mistreatment and sexual violence.

The figure emerges from an analysis carried out on the occasion of Women's Day by the Criminal Analysis Service of the Central Directorate of the Criminal Police. The numbers, indicates Criminalpol, confirm "the need to give maximum attention to gender-based violence, not only in preventing and combating, but also in supporting victims and in information campaigns aimed at removing those socio-cultural obstacles which, predictably , will ensure that the phenomenon persists also in the near future ".

THE NUMBERS - Absolute voluntary homicides consumed in Italy fell from 369 in 2018 to 302 in 2021, with a decrease of 16% in 4 years: the same percentage drop in those with female victims: 119 last year against 141 in 2018; but there is an upward trend compared to 2020 (when there were 117) and 2019 (109). Women killed by partners are also decreasing: 70 in 2021 against 75 in 2018 (-7%).

In the feminicides that took place in the family / affective context (103 in 2021) the use of improper weapons and sidearms was preeminent, occurring in 56 cases; in 23 cases, firearms were used. Followed by the modalities of asphyxiation, suffocation or strangulation (14 murders), injuries or beatings (6 events) and poisoning in 4 cases.

SPY CRIMES - In 2021 17,539 cases of stalking (+ 18% compared to 2018), 22,602 of mistreatment of family members and cohabitants (+ 30%), 5,004 of sexual violence (+ 2%).

As far as stalking is concerned, there is an increase in the rate especially in the southern regions: in the lead is Sicily (42.84 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants), followed by Campania (41.57), Puglia (37.57) and Calabria (36 , 59). The incidence of persecutory acts is lower in Veneto (18.75), Marche (19.04) and Trentino Alto Adige (19.48).

Ill-treatment against family members and cohabitants have a national incidence of 37.43 crimes per 100 thousand inhabitants. Also in this case Sicily is at the top, with 50.92, followed by Campania (49.78) and Lazio (44.02). Valle d'Aosta has the lowest rate (19.5), followed by Molise (22.52) and Liguria (25.54).