Italian protest against High Speed Rail

[northwichcat]

An Italian student protester has been charged with sexual assault after she was pictured kissing a riot police officer's helmet during a demonstration last month.

The 20-year-old student was photographed kissing officer Salvatore Piccione during a protest against a planned rail link in Northern Italy.

Construction of the high-speed line is expected to reduce journey time from Milan to Paris from seven to four hours

The photograph of Nina De Chiffre subsequently went viral on social media and was hailed as a symbol of peaceful protest in the country.

However, COISP, a union representing Italian police officers, later revealed that they had lodged a complaint with Turin prosecutors.

Franco Maccari, the union's general secretary told La Repubblica: "We have accused the protester of sexual violence and insulting a public official.

"If the policeman had kissed her, World War III would have broken out," he said. "Or what if I had patted her on the behind? She would have been outraged. So if she does that to a man on duty, should it be tolerated?", he added.

"A kiss is a positive thing," he said. "But in this context, between these two people, it was just disrespect."

It later emerged that Nina De Chiffre had not only kissed the officer but had also licked her fingers and touched his mouth.

According to reports the protester has since been charged with "sexual violence" and causing "offence to a public official".

Speaking to TheLocal, riot officer Salvatore Piccione said: “When I'm wearing my uniform I represent the police institution, and I have an obligation not to react to provocation."

"The important thing is that, in the end, the demonstration went ahead without disturbance.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...fter-kissing-riot-police-officer-9007265.html

I think if that was the worst thing expected to happen during a protest a lot more people would become police officers.

 

[yorkie]

Sexual assault includes all sorts of things like, for example, if someone else was to move your hand onto their bottom, and if you did not resist quick enough, you can be found guilty of sexual assault, which means probably losing your job, struggling to find another one, and the stigma of everyone assuming you raped someone.

When people hear the term "sexual assault" you would think of something really serious, wouldn't you? In reality it can be basically nothing.

 

[gordonthemoron]

please don't post articles from the local, it is an expat website that publishes a load of rubbish, just because it's in English doesn't make it good

 

[Searle]

Sexual assault includes all sorts of things like, for example, if someone else was to move your hand onto their bottom, and if you did not resist quick enough, you can be found guilty of sexual assault, which means probably losing your job, struggling to find another one, and the stigma of everyone assuming you raped someone.

When people hear the term "sexual assault" you would think of something really serious, wouldn't you? In reality it can be basically nothing.

Basically nothing to you can be a lot to someone else. Catcalling at someone or shouting sexist comments at someone can hurt them a lot. There is no 'small' thing to do with sexual assault, it's all horrible in equal amounts.

 

[yorkie]

I'm not trying to justify it, but I am just saying that people think of "sexual assault" as meaning something far more serious than what is posted in the article.

Yes, she shouldn't have done what she did, but you have to ask whether that should be called a "sexual assault"?

If someone said they were guilty of a sexual assault, many people would assume the worst.

 

[northwichcat]

Basically nothing to you can be a lot to someone else.

And also because one person doesn't mind something doesn't mean another person won't mind or that if someone doesn't mind someone else doing something doesn't mean they won't mind you doing it.

 

[Squaddie]

I'm not trying to justify it, but I am just saying that people think of "sexual assault" as meaning something far more serious than what is posted in the article.

Yes, she shouldn't have done what she did, but you have to ask whether that should be called a "sexual assault"?

If someone said they were guilty of a sexual assault, many people would assume the worst.

I think the point made in the article, that if the tables were turned the police officer would be in very serious trouble indeed, is a good one. And what if a male protestor had kissed a female police officer, or a male protestor had kissed a male officer?

I have no doubt that the protester's intentions were innocent, but I believe she should be prosecuted for assault.

 

[fowler9]

I think the point made in the article, that if the tables were turned the police officer would be in very serious trouble indeed, is a good one. And what if a male protestor had kissed a female police officer, or a male protestor had kissed a male officer?

I have no doubt that the protester's intentions were innocent, but I believe she should be prosecuted for assault.

Assault! Calling something like this sexual assault diminishes the crime which is why we end up with rapists doing less time than people committing fraud.

 

[yorkie]

I think the point made in the article, that if the tables were turned the police officer would be in very serious trouble indeed, is a good one. And what if a male protestor had kissed a female police officer, or a male protestor had kissed a male officer?

Absolutely, I totally agree.

I have no doubt that the protester's intentions were innocent, but I believe she should be prosecuted for assault.

Assault! Calling something like this sexual assault diminishes the crime which is why we end up with rapists doing less time than people committing fraud.

I would argue that there should be a more appropriately named offence for something like this.

The law should be applied equally, but also proportionately and sensibly.

 

[Squaddie]

I would argue that there should be a more appropriately named offence for something like this.

The law should be applied equally, but also proportionately and sensibly.

I completely agree. It's very unfortunate that the term "sexual assault", which is an accurate one, has come to mean something more serious in the minds of the public but I think the solution is to re-educate the public rather than try to redefine long-standing legal terms.

 

[fowler9]

I completely agree. It's very unfortunate that the term "sexual assault", which is an accurate one, has come to mean something more serious in the minds of the public but I think the solution is to re-educate the public rather than try to redefine long-standing legal terms.

I see it completely the other way around. If this woman is convicted of sexual assault does that mean she will not be allowed to work with kids because she kissed a policeman? I think the last thing this country needs is for everyone to be told that touching anyone is sexual assault. There would appear to be a world of difference (to me at least) between this and and say someones boss groping them.

 

[Squaddie]

I see it completely the other way around. If this woman is convicted of sexual assault does that mean she will not be allowed to work with kids because she kissed a policeman?

I don't know what the law is in Italy but if she were to be convicted of sexual assault in the UK then, yes, she might find it difficult to work with children. What does she expect? She kissed someone without his consent and then licked her fingers and touched his lips: it is irrelevant that the man was a policeman on duty. That may seem harsh, but her actions do demonstrate a certain lack of awareness and self-control and a disregard for the personal space of others.

 

[fowler9]

I don't know what the law is in Italy but if she were to be convicted of sexual assault in the UK then, yes, she might find it difficult to work with children. What does she expect? She kissed someone without his consent and then licked her fingers and touched his lips: it is irrelevant that the man was a policeman on duty. That may seem harsh, but her actions do demonstrate a certain lack of awareness and self-control and a disregard for the personal space of others.

It does seem harsh, lack of awareness and self control and a disregard of personal space, sex offenders register it is for you young lady. Lets face it though, if Berlusconi can have sex with underage prostitutes I'm sure she won't be in much trouble.