Calabria's regional
council said on Tuesday that a demonstration would be held on
October 21 in the coastal town of Melito di Porto Salvo to raise
awareness around a recent case of gang-rape and blackmail of a
local 13-year-old girl.
The abuse took place for over a year, from the end of 2013
to the start of 2015. Police last week arrested eight suspects,
including an underage boy.
The "Calabria says no to violence against women" initiative
will be "an occasion to show your face, come out in the square
by the side of the young victim and plan concrete ways to fight
this unacceptable violation of human rights," the council's
press office said in a statement.
Calabria Governor Mario Oliverio said he would be inviting
senior politicians from around Italy as well as local community
leaders.
Investigators say one of the assailants, most of whom are
in their 20s, started a romantic relationship with the teen and
then forced her to have sex with his friends.
The gang then blackmailed her by threatening to post
intimate photos of her online, and threatened a young boy she
had started dating.
Among those under arrest is Giovanni Iamonte, 30, whose
father Remingo Iamonte is currently serving time in prison and
is believed to be the head of the Iamonte clan of the local
'Ndrangheta mafia in Melito Porto Salvo, which is near Reggio
Calabria.
The eight suspects face charges including aggravated rape,
sex with a minor, possession of child pornography, stalking, and
serious bodily harm.
According to local reports, some community members may have
known about the abuse and chose to remain silent, and a recent
local rally to condemn the abuse organised by an anti-mafia
association was sparsely attended.
photo: Governor Oliverio
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