A controversial ruling by an Italian judge, stating that sexual harassment doesn't constitute a crime unless it lasts longer than 10 seconds, has ignited widespread anger and fueled a viral trend on social media. The case involved a 66-year-old janitor, Antonio Avola, accused of groping a 17-year-old student at a Rome high school in April 2022. The judge acquitted Avola, arguing the brief duration of the incident didn't qualify as a crime.
This decision has sparked outrage, particularly among young people in Italy. Actor Paolo Camili, known for his role in "The White Lotus," expressed disbelief, questioning how such a timeframe could be measured and who determines the threshold. He emphasized the significant length of 10 seconds, urging people to count it out to understand the gravity of the situation. Camili's comments to Fox News Digital highlighted the perception that such a short duration trivializes the experience and allows for potential misinterpretation as accidental contact.
The victim recounted the incident, stating that Avola pulled down her trousers and touched her buttocks and underwear without warning as she ascended a staircase. Despite the janitor's admission to the act, which he dismissed as a joke, the judge's acquittal sent shockwaves throughout the country. The victim questioned the judge's rationale, emphasizing the non-consensual nature of the act and the emotional distress it caused. She expressed concern that the ruling could deter other women from reporting similar incidents, fearing their experiences might be deemed insignificant by authorities.
In response to the "palpaga breve" (brief groping) ruling, a social media trend emerged, with individuals, including Camili, filming themselves touching their chests for 10 seconds while silently staring into the camera. This symbolic act aims to demonstrate the considerable length of this timeframe and challenge the judge's dismissive interpretation. Many participants accompanied their videos with expressions of outrage and calls for greater protection of women's rights. Activist Francesco Cicconetti joined the movement, emphasizing that women's bodies are autonomous and not subject to anyone's ownership but their own.
This incident and the subsequent social media response highlight the ongoing struggle against sexual harassment and the need for legal systems to adequately address such violations, regardless of duration.
