Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has voiced her outrage regarding an adult website that posted unauthorized images of women, including her own. This incident has intensified a national conversation on online misogyny and abuse. Following significant backlash and legal complaints, the website, named after a vulgar Italian slang term for female genitalia, was taken down on Thursday, local time.
In a statement to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Meloni expressed her disgust, stating, “I want to express my solidarity and closeness to all the women who have been offended, insulted, and violated in their intimacy by the administrators of this forum and its ‘users.'” The website had been operational since 2005 and had accumulated over 200,000 registered members. Its closure comes in light of increasing media scrutiny and political pressure following numerous incidents of misogynistic abuse online.
Earlier this month, the social media giant Facebook dismantled a group called My Wife, where users shared intimate photos of women without consent. This action was prompted by a wave of complaints led by author and activist Carolina Capria. The group had amassed over 32,000 members before its removal. A spokesperson for Facebook’s parent company, Meta, indicated that the group violated the company’s policies against the sexual exploitation of adults.
In her remarks, Meloni highlighted the troubling nature of such online behaviour, stating, “It is disheartening to see that in 2025, there are still those who consider it normal and legitimate to trample on a woman’s dignity and make her the object of sexist and vulgar insults, hiding behind anonymity or a keyboard.”
Political ramifications of the incident are significant. Alessandra Moretti, a prominent figure in the Italian political landscape, has filed a criminal complaint against the adult website, emphasizing that platforms like these incite violence and rape. Moretti, who has been in office since 2022, serves as one of the key female leaders in Italy’s government.
Responding to the outcry, Eugenia Roccella, Italy’s Minister for Equality, affirmed that the government is working on implementing stronger online protections and cultural reforms aimed at combating misogyny and sexism. The adult website in question featured numerous manipulated images of female public figures, accompanied by obscene and violent commentary. Additionally, it included photographs of ordinary women categorized by location.
The website’s administrators announced its closure with a statement expressing regret over the “toxic behaviours” that had “damaged the original spirit” of the forum. Despite the removal of the site, the incident underscores a persistent issue within digital spaces, prompting calls for more robust measures to protect individuals from online harassment and abuse.
As the conversation around online misogyny continues to evolve, Meloni’s strong condemnation signals a commitment to addressing these critical issues in Italy and beyond.
