Legacies of solidarity to make a difference, helping women victims of violence, change laws and prejudices

ROME – According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in three women in the world suffers physical and/or sexual violence during her lifetime, mainly by an intimate partner. The report Women victims of violencepublished by the Department of Public Security of the Ministry of the Interior last March, highlighted how in Italy there is a growing trend for sexual violence: from 2020, the year in which the lowest figure was recorded (4,497), the the increase was significant and amounted to 5,991 events in 2022 (+33% from 2020).

The “I ask it” campaign. In the face of such an alarming phenomenon, to bring about a profound cultural change, create awareness of the concept of consent and increase access to justice for rape survivors in Italy, Amnesty International Italy relaunch the campaign #IoloI ask and invites us to unite around women victims of violence, also through an instrument of concrete solidarity such as the legacy of solidarity, so that they are no longer left alone.

That article 609-bis of the Penal Code. Currently, the Italian Penal Code, in article 609-bis, provides that the crime of rape is necessarily connected to the elements of violence, threat, deception, or abuse of authority. In no way is rape defined as “sexual intercourse without consent”. Therefore, Amnesty International Italy asks the Minister of Justice that Italian legislation adapt to international standards, amending article 609-bis of the Criminal Code (Whoever, with violence or threats or through abuse of authority, forces someone to perform or undergo sexual acts is punished with imprisonment from six to twelve years) to criminalize any sexual act without consent.

The Istanbul Convention. The most far-reaching international treaty on violence against women has clearly posed the issue of the need to move from repression to prevention of abuse. Although Italy ratified the Convention over ten years ago, our Penal Code has never been updated according to the directives of the document – explains Tina Marinari, coordinator of the campaign #IoloI ask by Amnesty International Italy – In recent years, several European states have brought the definition of the crime of sexual violence into line with the Convention: on 1 June, Switzerland and, on 4 July, the Netherlands approved an amendment to the law on sexual offenses, which now defines sex without consent as rape. On the contrary, our law is still the mirror of a culture based on gender discrimination, on the imbalance of power in relationships and on the blaming of the offended person. Fear, shame and lack of trust in the justice system must not deter women and girls from reporting the assaults and ill-treatment they have suffered”.

“But how were you dressed?” Modifying a law is certainly the starting point, but, hand in hand, a change must also be made in the perceptions and awareness of all citizens. ISTAT data (2019) show that in our country the prejudice that blames women for the sexual violence suffered for the way they dress (23.9% of the interviewees) or if under the influence of alcohol and drugs is more rooted than ever ( 15.1%). Furthermore, 39.3% of those interviewed believe that a woman is always perfectly capable of withdrawing from sexual intercourse if she really does not want it. Still, according to an IPSOS survey conducted for Amnesty International Italy (2019), 31% of Italians believe that rejecting a woman is a way to “make yourself wanted”: the famous commonplace according to which women would say “no”, meaning on the contrary “yes”.

The victim is “somewhat responsible”. “When it comes to sexual violence, it is a widespread mentality to believe that the victim is in some way responsible for the aggression suffered: for the clothes he wore, for the attitude shown, for the way he spoke – adds Marinari – If we want live in a society where we are not forced to read news of feminicides, rapes and violence every week, we must start with the radical cultural change, strengthening awareness among the younger generations of the importance of respecting each other’s freedom and autonomy, fighting gender stereotypes and clarifying the concept of consent”.

A transformation is possible. For that, yes they are ready to promote the campaign #IoloI ask in schools and squares and we are committed to involving the institutions, from which the legislative review must start. As the recent example of the Netherlands demonstrates, a transformation is possible and the belief has grown that the desired change will produce positive effects in society, culture and courtrooms. “A bequest in favor of Amnesty International – continues Tina Marinari – means fighting for a world in which human rights are respected and women are no longer left alone, forever. The joint bequest is an instrument of concrete solidarity which does not in any way harm the rights of the legitimate heirs and which does not require large estates”.

For more information. To receive more information on how to donate a solidarity legacy in favor of Amnesty International, you can request the Guide Legacies by contacting Maria Grazia Diana, Legacy Program Manager, on 346.827 45 58, by writing to [email protected] or by visiting the site.