A brave woman, who was victim of an acid attack, has shared her first selfie on social media after revealing her scars on TV last week.
She made the headlines after appearing on Canale 5's Maurizio Costanzo show - initially with a scarf covering her face.
Twenty-seven-year-old, Gessica Notaro, was left with severe, life-changing injuries after her angry ex threw acid in her face. He is currently awaiting trial but denies the charges.
The dolphin aquarium worker from Rimini, Italy, posted on Instagram after two months in hospital, writing: '"is my first selfie for a long time." The post has gained more than 30,500 likes and more than 2,000 comments in support.
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She added it to prove other accounts in her name are fake and urged people to report them.
One comment said: "Gessica teaches the world what it means to have the balls to fight, to move forward, to start living without ever surrendering! I pray for you and I hope that your strength will be an example to all those struggling every day."
Another urged her to stay strong: "I want to tell you that you are a strong girl despite the bad things that have happened to you.
"Continue to fight with strength and courage every day against everything. You do us proud. We women send you a strong kiss and hug."
Whilst on television, Gessica removed the scarf saying: "I want you to see what he did to me. This isn't love."
Advice on acidviolence.org on what to do in an acid attack:
- Assess the scene and make sure you, yourself, are free from danger before attending to the casualty.
- Stop the burning process by removing the source
- Get the patient to hospital as quick as possible
- All treatments should be conducted in sterile environments
- If the wound is painless it could be deep
- Early recognition could lead to better treatment
Her ex, once a bodyguard, is alleged to have left her in hospital for two months. When the attack happened, Gessica said of her ordeal: "While the acid ate away at my face I was on my knees praying. I prayed to God: take away my beauty but at least leave me with my sight."
During her time under care, Gessica could only talk to visitors through glass and her mother had to be sterilised before entering the room.
She now wears a mask, and is not allowed to go out in the sun, with her face hurting all the time.
"I have to spend all my money on medication - every half hour I need eye drops and I moisturise my skin constantly," she added. "I cannot do my job because I can't go in the water.
"When I am better, I will have scars on the inside for the rest of my life."
Gessica met Jorge Edson Tavares three years ago whilst she was working at the aquarium. However, they split in August last year and he grew increasingly jealous and began stalking her. She claims that he freaked and tracked her.
Credit: Gessica Notaro
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Gessica alleges that Tavares continued to threaten her, despite finding another lover himself. She remained purposely single as she feared for her own safety, and that of any future boyfriend.
Thankfully, Gessica had already had the sense to believe that Tavares could do something like she suggests - she asked a man at the work what she should do if he was to throw some of the acid they had at work, to clean filters, at her. He advised against washing her face.
The Italian woman now plans to build on her singing career as her mouth, nose and voice are still functioning as they should. It was something she had planned to do, even before the attack.
She does not remain vengeful, though, saying that she just wants Tavares to see her, to see what he has done.
Acid attacks have become increasingly common in recent years, with their effects devastating. Last year, a man was accused of replacing the lube in a dispenser at a gay club in acid.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt as the dispenser had been fitted with an alarm after a similar event a while back.
Featured Image Credit: InstagramTopics: acid attack