In a trial in Italy, Gabriel, the eldest son of Juana Rivas, presented harrowing testimony against his father, Francesco Arcuri, detailing severe abuse and asserting that the social services failed to protect him and his brother.
In a significant trial taking place in Cagliari, Italy, Gabriel, the eldest son of Juana Rivas, provided a profound testimony against his father, Francesco Arcuri, who faces charges of domestic abuse. Gabriel's accounts highlighted a prolonged period of severe mistreatment from 2019 to 2022, during which he and his younger brother, Daniel, endured continuous aggression. Gabriel’s emotional testimony reveals not only his suffering but also the distress he felt upon leaving Italy to ensure Daniel's safety, which he described as a great pain because it meant leaving his brother behind with their father.
Gabriel claimed that their father attempted to take his life on multiple occasions and criticized the failures of social services to detect and respond to the abuse they suffered. He pointed to the lack of protective measures that should have been in place to safeguard children in such dangerous circumstances. This testimony comes amid ongoing discussions in Italy about the effectiveness of child protection services and the legal system's response to domestic violence, raising serious questions about the adequacy of current protective frameworks for families at risk.
The trial not only seeks justice for Gabriel and his brother but also shines a light on the broader issues of domestic violence and child abuse in Italy, where many children remain vulnerable due to insufficient protections. Gabriel's experience resonates with many families facing similar struggles, as it underlines the societal need for better mechanisms to prevent such tragedies and to provide adequate support for abuse survivors.
