🌏 Italians Are Groping Themselves On TikTok To Support A Teen, First Trans Miss Netherlands And More

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People in Italy are sharing videos of them groping themselves for 10 seconds after a judge dismissed a teen's sexual assault case because it was "too short".

In April 2022, a 17-year-old girl called Laura reported her school janitor for groping her.

Laura said had been walking up the stairs at school when she felt a hand going down her pants and touching her underwear and bottom.

She turned around to find that it was the janitor, 66-year-old Antonio Avola.

"Love, you know I was joking," Avola reportedly said to Laura after the incident.

Avola admitted to all the allegations but said it was a joke.

Laura's lawyer asked that Avola be sentenced for at least three and a half years for sexual harassment.

However, the judge on the case acquitted Avola on July 6 of sexual assault charges because the groping only lasted only "a handful of seconds".

In the verdict, the judge added the janitor did not let his hands linger, adding that it had been a "clumsy manoeuvre, lacking lust".

Now, people in Italy are sharing in Laura's anger and disbelief at the judge's decision by taking to social media with videos showing how long 10 seconds can feel when one is being groped or sexually assaulted.

Posted with the hashtag #10secondi, the videos show people touching their own breasts or bottoms in front of a 10 second timer.

The video depicts how unbearably long being sexually assaulted for 10 second can be.

Around 70% of Italian women who experienced harassment between 2016 and 2022 did not report it, according to statistics.

Also Happening Around The World

🇹🇭 Thailand’s military government has blocked this young progressive opposition leader from becoming prime minister.

🇮🇷 Iran has jailed this popular activist rapper for singing about the Mahsa Amini protests.

🇯🇵 A Japanese island had been engulfed by floods and landslides after it was hit by the “heaviest rain ever”.

🇯🇵 Also in Japan, a “genderless” celebrity has been found dead at age 27.

🇬🇪 A huge far-right, anti-LGBTQ mob attacked the pride event in Georgia, forcing it to be canceled.

🇦🇪 This TikToker in Dubai has been arrested for joking about cars and is facing up to five years in prison.

Dutch model Rikkie Kollé has become the first trans woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands on Saturday July 8.

The 22-year-old will now represent her country at the Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador later this year.

She will become the second openly trans woman to compete in a Miss Universe competition after Spanish model Angela Ponce, who was crowned Miss Spain in 2018.

Kollé said she realized she was born in the wrong body when she was eight years old.

After joining a waiting list for two years, she finally transitioned in 2022.

Kollé says she has constantly faced bullying and online abuse for being herself.

She said she hopes to use her position to uplift young LGBTQ people and raise awareness about transgender health care procedures in the Netherlands.

"Wherever you are in the world, I want to be there for you and be the example that I missed as a little me," she wrote on Instagram after winning.

More Women You Should Know About

🇦🇷 This missing Argentine woman’s remains were found burnt near her husband’s family’s house and people want justice.

Edgars Rinkēvičs has been sworn in as Latvia's first openly gay president, giving an inspirational speech dedicated to young people.

Rinkēvičs, the former foreign minister, was elected by lawmakers for the largely ceremonial role on May 31.

The 49-year-old is now also the first openly gay head of state in Europe.

Rinkēvičs came out as gay in 2014 on Twitter, writing, "I proudly announce I am gay... Good luck all of you...".

After being sworn in on Saturday July 8, Rinkēvičs said he will stand up for "a modern and strong Latvia, for a legal and just Latvia, for the well-being of the people, for an inclusive and respectful society," adding that it was something that everyone can achieve by working together.

He also specifically addressed the young people of Latvia, saying that they will be the ones to shape the country's future.

"Young people, I want to address you in particular," he said. "From this podium, I have invited you not to be afraid to dream and sometimes to break the 'glass ceiling."

"Your dreams of this day are the future of Latvia," he added.

He also said Latvia's politicians must do better to make young people feel heard and supported.

"It is our duty as politicians to make Latvia your home," Rinkēvičs said. "I hope that we will be able to talk and that your ideas and your contribution will become the basis of Latvia's future."

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