A trial has just taken place in Rome, the outcome of which is currently causing a stir in Italy. The applicant, a 17-year-old woman, accused her 66-year-old guardian of sexually abusing her. She tells that one day in April 2022, when she was on the stairs with a friend, the man took the opportunity to put his hand under her underwear to touch her buttocks.
On July 6, the sentencing verdict confirmed that the incident did indeed take place, but the accused was acquitted on the grounds that the act lasted “between 5 and 10 seconds”. Citing the alleged brevity of this sexual assault, CNN says the man was able to get out free.
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The high school janitor never stopped reciting the simple joke (“Honey, you know I was joking,” he told the complainant shortly after the fact). The duration of the crime, which was estimated to be very short, confirmed this thesis in the eyes of the judiciary. The defense’s arguments, which invoked a “clumsy joke” without “libidinal intent,” visibly hit the mark.
#10secondi
In Italy, there is outrage on social networks. On Facebook, the student association Rete degli Studenti Medi del Lazio published a press release in which we can read, among other things: “It is unacceptable that we cannot feel protected even in schools.” Once again, the patriarchal system prevails, with tacit support of institutions and politics.”
At the same time, Italian men and women are posting videos on Instagram and TikTok in which they can be seen touching any part of their body for ten seconds. The aim is to show that this duration, although considered ridiculous by the judiciary, can seem infinitely long in certain situations.
Among the people who have posted this type of message with the hashtags #10secondi or #palpatabreve is Italian actor Paolo Camilli, starring in the series The White Lotus, whose video is captioned: “The State shouldn’t it protect us?” We can actually ask the question.