Act No. 119/2013 on Gender-Based Violence and Stalking

Brief Description

Act No. 119/2013 addresses both stalking and GBV, in line with the following three conceptual pillars: 
- Strengthens the “warning” (ammonimento), as well as the gun banning, driving disqualification and the possibility to use electronic tags for perpetrators. Concerning the punishment, new aggravating circumstances are to be mentioned; penalty is increased if children under the age of 18 witness violence as well as if the victim is in a particularly vulnerable situation (if pregnant); 
- Femicide is further strengthened by consideration for the specific close relationship between the victim and the perpetrator as an aggravating circumstance (e.g. if the perpetrator is the victim’s spouse or partner, also non-cohabiting partner); 
- in line with the Istanbul Convention, the Italian law aims at ensuring greater protection for victims both in relation to hearings, which will be protected, and through a system guaranteeing transparency during ongoing investigations and legal proceedings, besides the obligation to inform victims about local support services.