by Elisa Garfagna
Roberta Repetto was a young woman full of life and sunshine, who turned to a meditation center after a difficult period. The center, presented as a place for spiritual growth, turned out to be a psychological cult led by a manipulative guru. Swayed psychologically, Roberta neglected medical treatment for a melanoma, relying solely on alternative practices suggested by the cult. The disease progressed without proper intervention, leading to her death in 2020.
Rita Repetto is a woman who has endured an unimaginable tragedy: the loss of her sister Roberta, who fell victim to mental manipulation and met a tragic end. We met with her.
What was Roberta like before this tragedy?
“Roberta was a brilliant girl, full of talent. She attended classical high school, graduated in Conservation of Cultural Heritage, and managed her own real estate agency. She was a person rich in interests: she taught yoga, painted, and worked with ceramics. She was a volcano of energy and courage, but at the same time fragile, like all of us. Unfortunately, she encountered those who took advantage of that fragility.”
When did you start to suspect something?
“Initially, we had no reason to suspect anything. Roberta was happy and told us about this holistic center where she felt good. However, over time, she started to distance herself from us. She spent every free moment there, which should have raised a red flag.”
How did Roberta change character-wise?
“Roberta became more reserved. She started talking less and keeping secrets about what was happening within that group. I tried to understand, but she told me she was fine, that she was happy. I was completely unaware of the phenomenon of cults and mental manipulation.”
What exactly happened?
“From the investigation, it emerged that in 2018, a doctor removed a mole from Roberta inappropriately, without any adequate medical assistance. She trusted the guru completely and believed that the operation was necessary for her evolution. Initially, she felt pain, but she was given ineffective remedies like herbal teas and saunas.”
What was the outcome of this legal process?
“We reached the Supreme Court after a shameful judicial journey. The guru and the doctor were convicted, but only for manslaughter. The psychologist involved was acquitted. I am ashamed to be Italian and to belong to a judiciary that ignores the human drama of those who suffer from mental manipulation.”
How did you cope with the guilt?
“At first, I felt an intense sense of guilt. I wondered how I could have not understood. I sought help and found support from experts and associations. I realized that I did not have the tools to recognize the warning signs.”
Let’s talk about your association: “La Pulce nell’Orecchio.” What is its goal?
“I founded the association to help young generations recognize the typical behaviors of cult dynamics. We focus on prevention because we want to avoid others suffering what Roberta went through. We also distribute a bookmark with all the warning signs to watch out for.”
What are the signs to recognize?
“Some signs include distancing from family, inability to make autonomous decisions, veneration for a charismatic figure, and vague responses to questions about the new life. It is essential to educate young people to recognize these dynamics.”
What is needed to improve the situation in Italy?
“We need a law to protect victims of mental manipulation. In France, a similar law has been introduced. Italy must do more to protect those who might fall into these traps.”
In this context, what was your meeting with Lorita Tinelli like?
“I was fortunate to meet Lorita Tinelli, an expert in the field of mental manipulation. Her support has been fundamental. Lorita helped me understand the complexity of cult dynamics and the devastating effects they can have on people. She has extensive experience in addressing these issues and provided me and other family members with the necessary support to cope with our pain and turn it into positive action.”
What is Lorita’s message regarding prevention?
“Lorita emphasizes the importance of educating people, especially young people, to recognize warning signs. She has helped develop awareness programs in schools, so students can understand the dangers of cults and mental manipulation. Her approach is practical and aims to provide useful tools to address these situations.”
What messages do you want to convey to those listening?
“I want to say that anyone can find themselves in a similar situation. It is crucial to talk about it, raise awareness, and focus on prevention. Mental manipulation knows no boundaries; it can affect anyone, regardless of their background. We must be vigilant and help others recognize the signs.”
Through her experience and commitment, Rita Repetto not only honors Roberta’s memory but also fights to ensure that similar tragedies do not occur again. With the support of experts like Lorita Tinelli, her association continues to educate and prevent, so that others do not have to endure similar pain.