Italy’s Survivors and Protesters Denounce Consent Redefinition Bill

The Italian Senate’s Justice Committee has endorsed the so-called Bongiorno bill on sexual violence, a move that campaigners warn could make it harder for victims to prove rape and easier for defendants to cast doubt on a survivor’s testimony.

Why This Matters

• Definition shifts: The bill drops the phrase “free and present consent” and replaces it with “acts against the contrary will,” raising fears the burden of proof will fall on the victim.

• Nation-wide rallies: More than 100 Italian cities held protests on 15 February, and a national march is scheduled in Rome on 28 February.

• Practical fallout: Defence lawyers could argue that silence or paralysis is not enough to convict, potentially lengthening trials and discouraging complaints.

• Local support: Piedmont’s Me.dea hotline (1522) saw a 25% surge in calls in 2025; operators say they are bracing for another spike if the bill becomes law.

From a Piedmont Tragedy to a National Alarm

The murder of 17-year-old Zoe Trinchero in nearby Nizza Monferrato last week jolted Alessandria. Outside Palazzo Guasco, volunteers from Me.dea unfurled a banner reading “Without consent it’s rape.” Across town, the feminist network Non Una di Meno echoed the slogan on the courthouse railings before dawn. Both groups link Zoe’s death to a broader climate in which, they argue, women still hesitate to say no out of fear they will not be believed.

What the Bongiorno Bill Would Change

Current Article 609-bis of the Penal Code considers any sexual act illegal when carried out “without the free and actual consent” of the other person. The new text, approved on 27 January in committee, swaps that yardstick for the requirement that the act be “contrary to the victim’s will.” Supporters, including the Italian Ministry of Justice, say the wording mirrors German law and tightens penalties—sentences could climb to 14 years. Critics counter that:

“Voluntary consent” disappears, opening the door for defence teams to interpret absence of struggle as implicit permission.

The victim may now need to prove she expressed dissent clearly enough, reviving what jurists call second-order victimisation.

The change collides with the Istanbul Convention, which Italy ratified in 2013 and which stresses explicit consent.

The Wave of Street Protests

Between Turin’s Piazza Castello and Palermo’s Via Roma, crowds chanted “Solo sì è sì” on the 30th anniversary of Italy’s 1996 rape-law reform. Unions CGIL and UIL joined D.i.Re, Amnesty International and student collectives in more than 100 squares. Organisers are funnelling energy toward the 28 February march in Rome, timed to precede the Senate’s floor vote. Police estimate 45 000 demonstrators flooded city centres on 15 February; activists claim twice that number.

Legal Voices: Is Italy Turning the Clock Back?

Penal lawyer Elena Biaggioni warns that the draft text could “drag the country to a pre-1996 mindset,” forcing women to document physical resistance. Conversely, Senator Giulia Bongiorno maintains the bill “removes grey areas” by focusing on tangible evidence of dissent and promises harsher sentences. The Union of Criminal Chambers supports a “No means no” standard, arguing it better fits Italy’s evidentiary tradition than “Only yes is yes.”

What This Means for Residents

• Survivors may face longer interrogations: Courts could demand explicit proof of verbal or physical opposition, increasing emotional strain.• Parents and schools should update education modules: Teaching that consent must be enthusiastic—and can be withdrawn mid-act—remains crucial regardless of legal wording.• Reporting timelines matter: Collecting medical evidence quickly will become even more critical; hospitals in Piedmont store rape kits for 12 months, not indefinitely.• Insurance & employers: Workplace policies on harassment rely on the Criminal Code’s definitions; HR departments may need to revise guidelines if the law changes.

How to Seek Help in Piedmont

The Me.dea centres in Alessandria and Casale offer 24/7 counselling, legal advice and emergency shelter. Their 2025 data show a woman calls every 6 hours. The anonymous national number 1522 remains free from both landlines and mobiles. Survivors can also file a police report directly at the Italian Carabinieri’s “Pink Rooms,” specialised units created to spare victims from multiple statements.

The Road Ahead

Senators are expected to debate amendments in early March. Should the bill pass unchanged, it will head to the Italian Chamber of Deputies for final approval before summer recess. Activists vow to keep the pressure on, convinced that “consent is non-negotiable.” Meanwhile, legal experts advise anyone involved in ongoing cases to consult their lawyer about how the prospective wording might affect evidentiary strategy.