Rome procession offers solidarity to women facing violence and prostitution.

A Via Crucis procession offering prayers and support to young women who are victims of violence and prostitution takes place on the streets of central Rome on Friday 26 February at 19.30.

The Donne Crocifisse procession, divided into seven “stations” at which participants can reflect and pray, will include performances by actors and musicians, as well as the personal testimonies of women who have experienced violence or slavery.

The initiative has the backing of Pope Francis and is organised by Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII, a Catholic association which has helped 7,000 leave prostitution over the last 25 years.

The Via Crucis will begin from outside the church of S. Spirito in Sassia at Largo Ildebrando Gregori, and end across the river at Piazza della Chiesa Nuova, resulting in disruptions to numerous bus lines between 19.30 and 22.30.

In Italy it is estimated that as many as 120,000 women and girls are victims of prostitution. Their nationalities are Nigerian (36 per cent), Romanian (22 per cent), Albanian (10.5 per cent), Bulgarian (9 per cent), Moldovan (7 per cent), with the rest from Ukraine, China and other Eastern countries. Their estimated 9 million clients in Italy generate a turnover of €90 million per month.

For full details of Via Crucis event see website.