Italy to crack down on stalkers

By Mark Duff
BBC News, Milan

Violence against women is on the increase

The Italian government is considering tough new measures to counter an increase in violence against women.

Top of the list would be the offence of stalking which could become punishable by up to four years in prison.

The only current sanction is a fine of 51 euros (£34), which some say is no deterrent against persistent and potentially violent stalkers.

The review of the law on sex crimes follows a summer of attacks on women in cities across Italy.

A high level meeting of ministers and senior civil servants on Wednesday is expected to finalise proposals for new measures, including a new offence of persecution or stalking.

It could outlaw menacing phone calls, text messages and emails.

Changing society

The past few years have seen a number of horrific attacks on women by estranged partners who had persistently threatened them.

In several of the cases the women had appealed for protection, which was denied them, only to be killed by their former lovers.

Specialists who have studied the phenomenon say it reflects the changing role of women in Italy, especially in the more affluent and modern north.

Growing numbers of northern women are choosing to work, and are using their greater financial independence to live as they please.

Faced with partners who are more than their equal intellectually, financially and socially, the experts say, some men resort to the last way in which they can outperform women - violence.