Deep Dive
What was the 'fuatina' and how did it work in its most benign form?
The 'fuatina' was a custom in Sicily where couples who wanted to marry but faced family disapproval could elope for a week and then return home, forcing their families to accept the union due to presumed premarital sex.
Why was the 'matrimonial repertory' or rehabilitating marriage significant in the context of the 'fuatina'?
The rehabilitating marriage was a legal and socially accepted loophole that allowed couples to restore honor to the bride after a 'fuatina,' effectively legitimizing the union despite parental disapproval.
What was the darker side of the 'fuatina' custom?
In its darker form, men could kidnap and sexually assault women they wanted to marry, forcing them into a rehabilitating marriage to restore their honor and erase the criminal act, essentially making the woman marry her captor and assaulter.
How did Franca Viola challenge the 'fuatina' custom in the 1960s?
Franca Viola, after being kidnapped and sexually assaulted by her former fiancé, refused to marry him, choosing instead to press charges. This was a radical departure from the norm, as every woman before her had agreed to marry her abductor to restore her honor.
What were the consequences Franca Viola faced for her decision to press charges?
Franca faced threats and violence, including the burning of her family's barn and vineyard, due to her former fiancé's mafia connections. Despite this, her family stood by her, and she successfully pressed charges, leading to her abductor's conviction.
How did the media coverage of Franca Viola's case reflect societal attitudes?
The media coverage was largely sexist, focusing on her appearance and hosting panel discussions where men debated whether they would marry her after her assault. This highlighted the deep-seated societal prejudices against women in such situations.
What impact did Franca Viola's case have on the legal and social landscape in Italy?
Franca Viola's case brought international attention to the 'fuatina' custom and the rehabilitating marriage loophole. It inspired other women to press charges and eventually led to the repeal of the law in 1981, making it illegal for a rapist to evade punishment by marrying his victim.
How was Franca Viola honored for her bravery?
In 2014, on International Women's Day, President Giorgio Napolitano bestowed upon Franca Viola the honor of Grande Officiale dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, essentially knighting her for her act of bravery in challenging the 'fuatina' custom.
- The fuatina was a form of elopement, but it was also used to force women into marriage after assault.
- The 'rehabilitating marriage' erased criminal charges against the perpetrators.
- Women had no choice but to marry their assaulters to avoid social ostracism.
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