Shame – European Stories is a transnational project documenting the voices of survivors of childhood abuse across Europe. The initiative brings together testimonies, portraits, and personal narratives from men and women who, for decades, were silenced by stigma, fear, and institutional neglect.

Developed in partnership with survivor networks, NGOs, and the Council of Europe, the project combines investigative photography with first-person accounts to reveal both the scale of abuse and the resilience of those who endured it. Italian photojournalist Simone Padovani, who has worked internationally with leading media outlets, created a series of striking portraits that place survivors at the center of the story, restoring visibility and dignity to people too often erased from public debate.

The purpose of Shame is twofold: to break the silence that has long surrounded abuse in Europe, and to push institutions and societies to take responsibility. By touring exhibitions across European capitals and producing educational materials, the project seeks to raise awareness, influence policy, and ensure that child protection becomes a genuine priority.

At its core, Shame – European Stories is both an act of remembrance and a call to action: a reminder that justice and recognition are essential steps toward preventing future abuses.