«Where can I buy pepper spray in Cagliari? Can I use it? But is it legal?". These are some of the most frequently asked questions in the "ANTI HARASSMENT Support" WhatsApp community , born less than 24 hours ago but already frequented by around 1000 girls. Maniacs, violence and reports in the city no longer make you sleep peacefully. Here the "do it yourself" answer comes from social media . Just one click and after a profile check by the administrators you are in. There are 13 subgroups available , each dedicated to a different area of the capital or to a particular need: there is the "San Benedetto", "Matteotti" or "Cittadella" one. Among the sections there is also one to report " annoying people ".
A place to ask for help, exchange information and advice to face "the outside world", outside the walls of your home. And it doesn't matter that it is virtual: it is "alive" more than ever. A tom-tom on chats, word of mouth, a link forwarded to university colleagues, classmates, lifelong friends. And so in a few minutes the new logins multiply, the messages increase. There are those who ask for company on the way back from the weight room, because "I'm alone, if someone follows the same path as me and wants to join, I'm here". Then there are many messages and instructions for purchasing the stinging spray «for self-defense. But are we sure it can be used?" asks a user. "I buy it and use it if necessary, are we kidding?", replies another. The concept is simple: join forces to "fight" an unpredictable, always new enemy that attacks suddenly. Like the hooded maniac from Pirri, who last Sunday attacked a young woman near the nightclub in via Newton . The "Reports/identikit/important info" group was also crowded, to exchange every detail useful for the recognition of the various individuals who for some time (years, according to the reports made) populate the neighborhoods of the Cagliari hinterland, sowing anxiety, fear, insecurity and - consequently - limiting the freedom of those who would like to go out without too many worries. «He was a boy of about 1.70 m, wearing a black jacket and sweatshirt, he approached some girls, chased them and threatened them, be careful», warns Erika (not her real name). “What time?”, a user immediately replies. "It was almost 2 o'clock."
