Rome (Agencies): Italy is taking significant steps towards legalizing chemical castration for convicted rapists and pedophiles. The Italian parliament has approved the formation of a committee to draft legislation on the use of androgen-blocking drugs to treat violent sex offenders.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition government, which has been pushing for tougher law and order measures since taking power in 2022, supports this initiative. The far-right League, a key part of Meloni’s coalition, proposed the motion. Under their plan, convicted sex offenders could receive suspended sentences in exchange for undergoing hormone-blocking treatment.
League chief Matteo Salvini hailed the move as a “victory” for their historic battle for justice and common sense. However, the proposal has faced strong opposition, with critics labeling it as “extremist” and “inhumane.” MP Simona Bonafè of the opposition center-left Democratic Party argued that the proposal undermines Italy’s legal system, which has long abandoned corporal punishment.
Chemical castration involves administering drugs that inhibit testosterone production, thereby reducing libido. While it is permitted in some countries and U.S. states, its effectiveness in preventing re-offending and potential physical and psychological side effects remain subjects of debate.
This move is part of a broader effort by the Italian government to enhance security and address sexual violence, particularly in disadvantaged areas like Caivano, which gained notoriety after a gang rape incident.