Palermo teen suicide: institutions and community reactions

Last Updated: November 13, 2023

Reactions from institutions and the civil community continue in response to the suicide of a 13-year-old student from the Vittorio Emanuele Orlando middle school in Palermo. The regional education and vocational training assessor, Mimmo Turano, expressed his support for the family of the boy and the school staff. The Regional School Office has already activated the necessary tools to support the school in this difficult time. Fabrizio Marrazzo, spokesperson for the Gay Lgbt+ Solidarity, Environmentalist, and Liberal party, also spoke out, calling the incident a cry for help. He urged the government to approve their request for courses on affection, sexual education, and anti-discrimination in all schools, starting from middle school. Marrazzo also highlighted the discrimination and prejudice that many victims face, both at school and at home, leading to feelings of loneliness and marginalization.