Cinzia D'Ambrosi

From Greece, I made my way to the South of Italy. The majority of refugees and asylum seekers have made their journey from Libya to Sicily, where those that are registered are sent to various centres in Italy. Violence takes many forms and through this project I am hoping to shed a light at how institutions and governments policies alike are inflicting psychological violence. When refugees come into our shores have already experienced displacement, violence and trauma. They need safety and security, yet they often encounter bureaucratic walls, violent policies that detain, force them to live in a limbo for months on end and deny them of psychological, physical support. I spent some time at the Centro Astalli Sud and Rodopa in Battipaglia where refugees, mostly from Africa have been transferred from Sicily. I learned of the painful ordeals of an existence in fear of being killed in conflict, wars, extreme poverty and hunger. For many, there was no way out but to flee. Fleeing conflicts and extreme poverty, many have endured torture, segregation in Libya and a constant fear for their lives; “Anybody could use a gun in Libya. It is lawless, they could kill us and not be prosecuted. Even children are carrying a gun.” Today, they are left dealing with their psychological scars. The physical torture may go away but the emotional toll needs a different care.