In a shocking revelation, Italy has erupted in anger following the removal of a Facebook group named 'Mia Moglie,' translating to 'My Wife.' This group boasted around 32,000 members and was notorious for sharing non-consensual intimate photographs of women, prompting widespread condemnation from the public. The group was deactivated this week after Meta, Facebook's parent company, stated it violated their policies on adult sexual exploitation.
The group was exposed by Carolina Capria, a prominent author, who conveyed her horror at the explicit comments and images shared within the community. Comments included vulgar expressions of violent desires towards the women featured in the photos, shining a spotlight on the troubling intersection of sexuality and abuse woven into the fabric of society. "This culture allows men to express their sentiments openly without fear of repercussions," Capria remarked, highlighting the urgent need for change.
Political figures, including Fiorella Zabatta from the European Greens party, called the activities on the page “virtual rape,” emphasizing the necessity to combat these harmful ideologies and protect women online. She urged for collaborative action from both civil society and political institutions to address these deeply rooted issues regarding masculinity and honor women’s rights.
Though revenge porn was criminalized in Italy in 2019, reports indicate over a thousand individuals have already reported the group to a local cybercrime unit following its discovery. Meta reiterated its commitment to banning content that encourages sexual violence, assault, or exploitation across its platforms.
The troubling instances of abuse serve as a timely reminder of cases like Dominique Pelicot's in France, where a man was sentenced for conspiring to abuse his wife. Commentators, including Capria, noted parallels in both cases, underscoring a disturbing trend where control over women is entwined with sexuality, and the necessity for continued vigilance and cultural change.
The group was exposed by Carolina Capria, a prominent author, who conveyed her horror at the explicit comments and images shared within the community. Comments included vulgar expressions of violent desires towards the women featured in the photos, shining a spotlight on the troubling intersection of sexuality and abuse woven into the fabric of society. "This culture allows men to express their sentiments openly without fear of repercussions," Capria remarked, highlighting the urgent need for change.
Political figures, including Fiorella Zabatta from the European Greens party, called the activities on the page “virtual rape,” emphasizing the necessity to combat these harmful ideologies and protect women online. She urged for collaborative action from both civil society and political institutions to address these deeply rooted issues regarding masculinity and honor women’s rights.
Though revenge porn was criminalized in Italy in 2019, reports indicate over a thousand individuals have already reported the group to a local cybercrime unit following its discovery. Meta reiterated its commitment to banning content that encourages sexual violence, assault, or exploitation across its platforms.
The troubling instances of abuse serve as a timely reminder of cases like Dominique Pelicot's in France, where a man was sentenced for conspiring to abuse his wife. Commentators, including Capria, noted parallels in both cases, underscoring a disturbing trend where control over women is entwined with sexuality, and the necessity for continued vigilance and cultural change.
