Italian court says no rape happened as woman didn’t scream, minister takes stock

Italy’s justice minister has reportedly asked officials to look into a case in which a court acquitted a man of raping a woman because she didn’t scream.

Italy’s justice minister has reportedly asked officials to look into a case in which a court acquitted a man of raping a woman because she didn’t scream.

In this photo taken on Sunday, March 5, 2017 thousands of people take part in a demonstration against violence on women in downtown Turin, Italy. (AP Photo)

The Italian news agency ANSA said on Thursday that minister Andrea Orlando has asked ministry inspectors to begin checking into the case.

ANSA said a court in Turin had ruled last month that the woman’s saying “Enough!” to her colleague who allegedly raped her constituted too weak a reaction to prove that she was sexually attacked. The ruling specified she didn’t scream or ask for help.

Center-right Forza Italia opposition lawmaker Annagrazia Calabria decried the ruling, saying, “Certainly, you cannot punish the personal reaction of a woman terrified by what is happening to her.”

The ruling has also triggered an outcry by women’s groups.