Mandatory chemical castration is permitted in countries like Russia, Poland, and some U.S. states for specific crimes, though its effectiveness in preventing repeat offenses is debated. Experts highlight significant physical and psychological side effects of the procedure, while feminist groups stress that violent sex crimes often stem from deeper cultural and societal issues rather than uncontrollable sexual impulses.
Italy recently took a major step toward legalizing chemical castration when lawmakers approved the formation of a committee to draft legislation for using androgen-blocking drugs to treat violent sex offenders. The proposed treatment would be consensual and reversible, aimed at reducing recidivism.
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Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has prioritized tougher law-and-order measures since coming to power in 2022, including the introduction of new crimes and harsher penalties, particularly in disadvantaged areas like Caivano, which gained notoriety after a gang rape incident. The far-right League party, part of Meloni’s coalition, proposed the motion for chemical castration. Under their plan, convicted sex offenders could receive suspended sentences in exchange for undergoing hormone-blocking treatment. League leader Matteo Salvini celebrated the development, describing it as a “victory” for their “historic battle for justice and common sense.”
Opposition groups, however, strongly criticized the proposal, labeling it “extremist” and “inhumane.” Simona Bonafè, an MP from the opposition center-left Democratic Party, argued that the measure undermines Italy’s legal system, which has long rejected corporal punishment. Another opposition MP, Enrico Borghi, raised concerns about potential precedents, rhetorically asking if harsher punishments like “tar and feathers” or “rope and soap” would follow.
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Chemical castration involves administering drugs that lower testosterone levels, reducing libido. While implemented in some countries and U.S. states, its efficacy and safety remain controversial. Feminist groups argue that cultural and societal factors, rather than biological urges, are the primary drivers of violent sex crimes.