#RevengePorn: The Urgent Need for Cultural Change to Prevent an Invisible Form of Violence

In recent years, cases of #revengeporn and non-consensual sharing of intimate material have become an increasingly visible and tragically significant issue in Italy and worldwide. The recent news of a young woman in Palermo, who took her own life and is suspected to have been a victim of revenge porn, painfully brings the devastating impact of this phenomenon back into public focus. This issue gravely threatens both the dignity and very lives of its victims.

Revenge Porn and Its Impact on Victims

Victims of #revengeporn are often young and face an overwhelming emotional burden: shame, fear, and isolation. According to a 2022 report by UNICEF Innocenti, the phenomenon of sexting—which often precedes revenge porn—is on the rise among teenagers, bringing an increased risk of intimate images being shared without consent. The personal and social repercussions are severe, and although anyone can be affected, there is a higher incidence among women. The non-consensual sharing of intimate images inflicts lasting and violent harm, as this material can remain online for years, intensifying the psychological pain and suffering of the victims.

Similar Cases and Social Resonance

Unfortunately, similar cases have already occurred in Italy. In 2016, the story of Tiziana Cantone, a young woman who took her own life after intimate videos of her were shared online without her consent, shocked the public. This case sparked significant debate on the need for specific laws, ultimately leading to the introduction of the offence of #revengeporn under the "Codice Rosso" law in 2019. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, reported cases of revenge porn increased between 2019 and 2023, suggesting that legal measures alone are insufficient to address the issue effectively.

The Root of the Problem: Lack of Emotional Education and Respect for Dignity

At the root of these behaviours is often a lack of education on emotional awareness, respect, and the value of others' dignity. We live in an age where sharing intimacy, especially online, happens with a speed that can be almost unconscious, often among very young people. According to research by Save the Children Italy, young generations are exposed to constant pressures that encourage the public display of private life and early access to sexuality—often without the support of adequate emotional development.

Education on Modesty and Boundaries

Emotional education should aim to raise young people's awareness of the need to respect both their own and others’ privacy, emphasizing the importance of gradual intimacy and modesty. Respecting personal boundaries, as well as those of others, is essential for building healthy, conscious relationships grounded in trust and respect. Furthermore, educating young people on the importance of consent and dignity can help prevent acts of digital violence, such as revenge porn, by instilling sensitivity and awareness from an early age.

The Need for Preventive Measures

In addition to legal measures, an educational intervention involving schools, families, and the media is essential. Schools could introduce programs on emotional education and sexuality that cover topics such as consent, emotional management, and respect for oneself and others. Parents also play a crucial role: it is important that they have open and transparent conversations with their children, teaching them the importance of respecting intimacy and modesty.

The tragedy in Palermo, along with other similar cases, forces us to reflect on the need for a profound cultural shift to prevent phenomena like revenge porn. Laws are crucial to prosecute and punish offenders, but only an emotional education that promotes respect for dignity and modesty can address the root of the problem.