Italy is in a ragestorm after a pornography website doctored images of a number of top women leaders, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and opposition leader Elly Schlein. The debacle has been termed by local media as "Italy's #MeToo moment," reawakening enduring debates regarding misogyny, online harassment, and women's security.
The site, named Phica a rather crude pun on a vulgar slang word for vagina edited photos taken from social media, public outings, and even intimate holidays. The doctored images zoomed in on limbs or positioned women in provocative positions, and included sexist hashtags.
The site featured women from across the political spectrum, exposing just how widespread the abuse has been. Alongside Meloni, her sister Arianna was also targeted, as were prominent Democratic Party politicians Alessia Morani, Alessandra Moretti, Lia Quartapelle, and Valeria Campagna. Even members of the far-right were not spared, including Alessandra Mussolini, granddaughter of Benito Mussolini, and Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè.
The political targeting was not the only one. Award-winning actor and director Paola Cortellesi, whose film C'e Ancora Domani deals with domestic violence, and influencer Chiara Ferragni also showed up on the site's so-called "VIP section."
Campagna was one of the first to make a formal complaint in court. "I was appalled, outraged, and let down. These weren't swimsuit photos, but intimate and public moments pilfered and manipulated," she said, calling on other women to also come forward. Shortly after, other women joined her cue, launching the scandal into a national debate.
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The leak has triggered a robust public reaction. A Change.org petition calling for the platform to be closed down has amassed over 150,000 signatures. A turning point for Italy's grappling with online abuse and violence against women, many view this event.
Petitioner Mary Galati, who started the petition, said she already made two complaints regarding the website in 2023 but no one had heard her until prominent politicians came forward. A 2019 study by the University of Milan reveals how prevalent the issue is, with 20% of Italian women reporting instances of non-consensual sharing of photographs.
The scandal follows shortly after Italy approved stricter gender violence laws, such as increased punishment for stalking, sexual assault, and revenge porn. Senate leader Ignazio La Russa called the incident "a very serious matter that provokes deep outrage," and called on authorities to take rapid action.
With the case under investigation, the scandal has brought to light Italy's secret digital exploitation epidemic leading many to hope this time, silence will not be the rule.
