ATM, the Milanese transport company, suspended from service and pay, the employees of the chat in which images of women appeared accompanied by sexist jokes and obscene phrases. How does Differenza Donna, the national network that has been fighting for women’s rights and in the fight against gender violence, react? We talk about it with Michela Cacciapuoti of the Board of Directors and Psychologist of the Association. «Given that we have faith that ATM Milano will be able to face this ugly affair with great determination and a sense of responsibility, it is an important signal because it states that certain behaviors cannot be dismissed as simple joking. When images of women are shared without their consent and accompanied by sexist, offensive or sexually explicit comments, people’s dignity is violated and a culture is fueled that considers the female body as something available for male gaze, judgment and consumption. The issue does not only concern the content of the jokes, but also the fundamental issue of consent: no image of a person should become the object of derision, sexual evaluation or uncontrolled circulation without their consent.”
Are disciplinary sanctions sufficient or are training and awareness courses also needed?
«Sanctions are a sign of institutional responsibility, but they must be accompanied by a broader reflection on the cultural roots of these phenomena. They are necessary because they establish a clear limit, but by themselves they do not change the culture that makes these behaviors possible. It is essential to support training courses on consent, respect for differences, gender violence, digital communication and sexist stereotypes. It must be understood that the diffusion or sharing of images without consent is not a neutral gesture: it is a form of oppression that can have profound consequences on the lives of the people involved. Prevention comes through awareness, not just punishment.”
What drives any “decent” man to get involved in such a deplorable and discriminatory game?
«Often these are not men who perceive themselves as misogynistic or violent. They enter into these dynamics out of conformity, the desire to belong to the group or the search for approval. But this is possible because there is a cultural context that continues to convey the idea that women’s bodies are available to public judgment and that female humiliation can be a source of entertainment and male complicity. Furthermore, today we cannot ignore the influence of the so-called manosphere: a set of online communities that spread misogynistic, anti-feminist narratives hostile to women’s self-determination. Even when these contents are not explicitly embraced, they contribute to normalizing languages and attitudes that devalue women and call into question the very concept of consent.”
Why is it right to keep repeating that no comment or attitude should be allowed to pass?
«Because gender violence does not arise suddenly. There is a continuum that goes from sexist jokes, invasive glances, innuendos and verbal harassment to the most serious forms of violence. Every time a behavior is minimized, the idea that it is acceptable is reinforced. Drawing attention to these episodes means that respect is built precisely in everyday gestures. Defending consent also means defending the right of every person not to be transformed into an object of sexual comment, ridicule or evaluation.”
What role does silence, complicit laughter or “it’s nothing” play in keeping a discriminatory culture alive?
«They have a decisive role. Discrimination thrives when those who witness it choose not to see or to minimize it. Laughter, silence, or phrases like “it was just a joke” communicate that the behavior is tolerated. This is precisely how the normalization of symbolic violence is constructed. A culture of respect instead requires the ability to recognize the problem and take a stand. It’s not about censoring, but about taking responsibility for the consequences that words and behaviors produce on others.”
Where do we start from to build a truly respectful and equal culture?
«We start again from the recognition that respect, consensus and equality are not sectoral issues but fundamental principles of democratic coexistence. We need widespread work in schools, families, workplaces, media and digital spaces. We need to teach that consent concerns not only the sexual sphere, but every form of relationship and public exposure of women, including images and content shared online. It is also necessary to actively counter the misogynistic narratives circulating on the web and promote models of masculinity based on empathy, reciprocity and responsibility.”
However, the Valditara DDL puts a spanner in the works for affective education by asking for consent from families…
«Affective and relational education is an essential prevention tool. Talking about consent, respect for personal boundaries, management of emotions, responsible use of social media and combating gender stereotypes means providing boys and girls with concrete tools to build healthy relationships. The involvement of families is important and can represent an opportunity for dialogue, but it should not result in the renunciation of fundamental educational contents for the prevention of violence and discrimination. The protection of the rights and well-being of minors requires a shared responsibility between schools, families and institutions.”
How can we concretely measure progress towards a more respectful and equal culture?
«Progress is measured through data and observable changes: reduction in harassment and discrimination in places of study and work; greater ability to recognize and report behaviors that damage the dignity and freedom of women; increasing awareness on the topic of consent; reducing the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and content; greater presence of women in decision-making places; reduction of economic and professional gaps; dissemination of effective educational programs. But there is also a cultural indicator: when episodes that were once dismissed as “jokes” instead arouse indignation and collective responsibility, it means that society is starting to change.”
