Brutality and Complacency: Italy's Ongoing Struggle Against Endemic Violence on Women

A series of recent events in Italy, from  gang rapes to questionable court rulings, has highlighted the country’s ongoing struggles with profound gender-based violence and a lack of public outcry or governmental action against endemic misogyny.

The most shocking case came in July 2023, when seven young men brutally gang-raped a 19-year-old woman in Palermo. The victim was taken to an isolated area of the Foro Italico by the men after they told a bartender to get her drunk. What followed was an absolutely dehumanizing attack, with the men taking turns raping the helpless woman.

Chat logs from the rapists revealed just how much they stripped the woman of her humanity, with one writing “it was like 100 dogs on one cat.” The conversations are chilling in their cruelty.

Despite the horrendously callous details of the rape, one underage perpetrator was recently released to a community facility in a controversial decision by a local judge. The prosecutors have opposed this ruling, arguing that the severity of the crimes warrant continued detention. But the release has raised criticism about the Italian justice system's handling of the case and their apparent lack of concern for the victim.

This brutal gang rape comes as Italy continues to grapple with an epidemic of femicides that snuff out the lives of women with grim regularity. Data shows that approximately one woman is murdered every 2-3 days in Italy by a current or former partner.

These murders highlight the utter brutality that many men inflict upon the women in their lives. In August, 25-year-old Vera Schiopu was found hung in the countryside in what investigators believe was a femicide by her partner. Last month Salvatore Ferraiuolo viciously beat his girlfriend Anna Scala repeatedly, threatening “when I come back, I will kill you.” He made good on that promise, stabbing her to death in August 2023.  

In many of these cases, the victims had reported domestic abuse to the authorities prior to their murders. Yet the Italian state failed to protect them even when they sought help. Advocates argue there are insufficient protection and prevention programs in place to address the crisis levels of violence against women. Critics say the government continues to ignore the scale of the problem and the desperate need for action.

The result is that the carnage continues unabated, with women across Italy living in fear of becoming the next victims of deadly toxic masculinity. They find themselves at the mercy of a system that does too little to intervene until it is too late.

In addition to horrific acts of violence against women, Italy has recently faced controversies related to court rulings that exhibit troubling attitudes regarding rape and consent.

In several high-profile cases, judges have shown a propensity for victim-blaming mentalities. In one case earlier this year, a rape sentence was reduced because the victim was deemed to have an "inhibited" lifestyle. In another ruling, a judge absolved two 19-year-old men of rape charges because they "misinterpreted the consent" of the victim.

These types of judgments reveal a startling lack of understanding when it comes to issues surrounding consensual and non consensual sex. There is a tendency for Italian courts to want to excuse or explain away the actions of rapists rather than forcefully condemn them.

Advocates argue that there is a desperate need for training of judges, lawyers, and others working in the criminal justice system on topics related to rape culture and sexual violence. Without addressing these blind spots, the courts will continue doling out rulings that denigrate victims and engender skepticism about the veracity of women's claims of rape.

The indifference in the justice system mirrors that of society-at-large, enabling rape culture to thrive. While the violence of individual perpetrators is shocking, it is bolstered by the complicity of institutions like the courts.

While the violence rages on, the political will to take concrete action remains lacking. Recently, the new right-wing government under Giorgia Meloni proposed legislation purportedly aimed at protecting women. However, the proposed bills have faced sharp criticism for their lack of emphasis on prevention.

The government's proposals do little to address the need for educating Italian society and especially youth on issues related to consent, healthy relationships, and gender equality. There appears to be no focus on implementing substantial programs in schools starting from a young age that could help counteract dangerous attitudes that often lead to violence against women.

Without a serious commitment to prevention, many activists dismiss the government's legislation as mere empty rhetoric that will do little to create real change. Italy has seen similar hollow proposals before that simply pay lip service to the problem rather than institute meaningful reforms.

The fear is that this is just another iteration of political posturing that fails to match the urgency and severity of the crises of violence Italian women face daily. Until the government is willing to take bold action that tackles the root causes, the pattern of brutality and femicide will likely continue unabated. Rhetoric must be matched with allocation of resources and political capital.

In light of this relentless violence and apathy towards correcting systemic misogyny, it becomes painfully clear Italy still has a long battle ahead to protect its women and root out endemic gender-based abuse.

There needs to be accountability placed on men to change behaviours and attitudes. Journalists must stop victim-blaming mentalities in coverage of these crimes. The overarching narrative surrounding gender violence requires change, as does reform of the justice system.

Men and boys need education on consent, respect, and healthy relationships starting from a young age. Training programs should counter toxic masculinity and break down internalised misogyny.

Judges and lawyers also require education to stop victim-blaming attitudes and better understand the dynamics of sexual violence cases. Workplaces must face consequences for enabling systemic harassment and abuse.

Laws and policies must focus on prevention, early intervention, and punishing domestic violence. Government officials need to take concrete action instead of empty rhetoric.

Until men are held accountable, victim-blaming stops, and massive cultural shifts happen, the violence and oppression will continue unabated. Italy now faces a choice - take assertive action to rehabilitate the profound gender sickness rotting away its core, or remain complicit in the ongoing tragedies through inaction, preserving a status quo of fear and brutality. The time to act is now, and the cost of failure will be more innocent lives shattered.