Best Sexual Harassment Lawyers in Piacenza

About Sexual Harassment Law in Piacenza, Italy

This guide explains how sexual harassment is treated under Italian law and how people in Piacenza can protect their rights. In Italy, sexual harassment may be addressed under criminal law, anti-discrimination and labor rules, and civil liability. The same behavior can have consequences in more than one legal area. What many people call sexual harassment can range from unwanted comments or advances at work to criminal conduct such as unwanted touching or coercion. If you are in immediate danger, call 112.

This information is general and educational. It is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified lawyer in Piacenza.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer in several common situations:

- You experienced unwanted sexual conduct at work and need to stop it, protect your job, and seek compensation.- You suffered unwanted touching or coercion that may be a crime and want to file a police report or a querela - a formal complaint required for some offenses.- You are facing retaliation after reporting harassment and need urgent court orders or labor protections.- You are unsure whether what happened is a crime, discrimination, or both, and you need a strategy that protects your privacy and safety.- You were accused of harassment and need defense counsel to navigate workplace or criminal procedures.- You want to preserve evidence, communicate with your employer, or negotiate a settlement without harming your case.

A local lawyer can evaluate your options, file the right actions in the right forum, and coordinate with police, the labor court, and support services in Piacenza.

Local Laws Overview

- Criminal Code - sexual violence: Italian Criminal Code Article 609-bis punishes non-consensual sexual acts. It covers a range of conduct, including unwanted touching of a sexual nature. Basic forms usually require a querela by the victim within a set time, while aggravated cases or cases involving minors proceed ex officio. Penalties are severe.- Criminal Code - stalking and threats: Article 612-bis punishes stalking - repeated harassment that causes serious anxiety, fear, or forces changes in daily habits. Article 612 covers threats. Article 660 punishes harassment or disturbance to persons in certain contexts.- Code of Criminal Procedure - protective measures: Courts can order a restraining order or restraining from approaching the victim and other urgent measures. The Codice Rosso law speeds up protective proceedings for certain crimes including sexual violence and stalking.- Anti-discrimination and labor law: Legislative Decree 198-2006 - the Code of Equal Opportunities - defines harassment and sexual harassment as discrimination based on sex. Employers must prevent and stop it. Victims can bring a fast-track anti-discrimination action in the labor court. The Consigliera di Parità - Equal Opportunity Councillor - can assist and has standing to act. Legislative Decree 81-2008 on workplace safety and Civil Code Article 2087 impose a duty on employers to protect workers from risks including harassment and psychosocial harm.- Civil liability: Victims can claim damages under Civil Code Article 2043 and related rules. If the facts also constitute a crime, civil limitation periods may follow the longer criminal limitation period.- Whistleblowing and reporting: Many public bodies have a CUG - Comitato Unico di Garanzia - and internal procedures. Employers should have policies, investigation processes, and disciplinary measures. Public and many private employers maintain whistleblowing channels. A lawyer can help choose the safest route.

Time limits can be short and complex, especially for querela. Consult a lawyer quickly to protect your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as sexual harassment under Italian law?

Under Legislative Decree 198-2006, sexual harassment is any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. It includes comments, messages, gestures, propositions, and physical behavior. If the conduct involves non-consensual sexual acts, it may also be a crime under Article 609-bis of the Criminal Code.

What is the difference between workplace harassment and sexual violence?

Workplace sexual harassment is a form of discrimination and may lead to labor court actions and employer liability. Sexual violence is a crime and can lead to criminal prosecution and penalties. The same facts can be both. A lawyer can coordinate civil, labor, and criminal steps to avoid conflicts and protect evidence.

How do I report sexual harassment in Piacenza?

If you are in danger, call 112. For criminal conduct, you can report to the Questura di Piacenza or the Carabinieri, or file a querela with the police or the Prosecutor’s Office. For workplace issues, use your employer’s reporting channels, speak to HR, your union, or the Consigliera di Parità. You can pursue both internal reporting and legal action. Keep copies of everything you submit.

Do I need to file a querela and what is the deadline?

For many offenses such as basic forms of sexual violence and stalking, prosecution generally begins upon querela by the victim. The deadline is usually six months from the offense or from when you became aware of it. Some aggravated cases and cases involving minors proceed ex officio without a querela. Do not wait - speak to a lawyer promptly to assess the correct deadline in your situation.

What evidence should I collect?

Save messages, emails, chat logs, social media posts, photos, and call records. Keep a dated incident diary. Identify potential witnesses. Preserve access logs, CCTV references, meeting invites, and HR reports. Seek medical care if needed and keep medical records. Do not alter or edit evidence. Back up data securely. A lawyer can send legal notices to preserve employer or third party data.

What are my employer’s duties?

Employers must prevent and stop harassment, investigate reports, and protect workers under Civil Code Article 2087, Legislative Decree 81-2008, and Legislative Decree 198-2006. They should have policies, training, confidential reporting channels, and disciplinary procedures. Failure can lead to injunctions, damages, and administrative or criminal consequences. Public bodies have additional obligations through their CUG.

Can I be fired or punished for reporting?

Retaliation is unlawful. If you suffer disciplinary measures, demotion, transfers, or hostile behavior after reporting, you may seek urgent court protection and damages. Keep records of any retaliatory act. The Consigliera di Parità and unions can support you, and a lawyer can file an anti-discrimination action in the labor court.

What protective measures are available?

In criminal proceedings, courts can order restraining from approaching the victim, removal from the family home where applicable, and other measures. Police can take urgent steps under the Codice Rosso framework. In civil and labor contexts, judges can order the employer to stop harassment, adopt measures, and restore rights. Ask about confidentiality measures for your identity where available.

Am I entitled to free legal aid?

Victims of certain crimes, including sexual violence and stalking, may access State-funded legal aid regardless of income. Others may qualify based on income thresholds. Bring identification and income documents to your lawyer, who can assess eligibility and file the application.

How long do cases take and what outcomes are possible?

Timelines vary. Protective measures can be fast. Labor anti-discrimination actions are designed to be quicker than ordinary trials. Criminal cases can take longer, but Codice Rosso prioritizes certain files. Outcomes can include restraining orders, disciplinary action against the harasser, reinstatement or workplace changes, compensation for damages, and criminal penalties for the offender.

Additional Resources

- Emergency number 112 - for immediate police and medical assistance in Piacenza.- National helpline 1522 - 24-7 support for victims of violence and stalking, with multilingual assistance.- Questura di Piacenza and Carabinieri - for reports and querela filing.- Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale di Piacenza - public prosecutor’s office for criminal complaints.- Ordine degli Avvocati di Piacenza - local bar association for lawyer referrals.- Consigliera di Parità Provinciale e Regionale - Equal Opportunity Councillor for assistance with workplace discrimination and harassment cases.- CUG - Comitato Unico di Garanzia - in public administrations for reporting and prevention of discrimination and harassment.- Local anti-violence centers and social services in Piacenza and Emilia-Romagna - for counseling, shelter, and accompaniment to police and court.- Unions and workplace health and safety representatives - for support in labor procedures.- Health services and the emergency department at your nearest hospital - for medical care and forensic documentation.

Next Steps

1. Prioritize safety. If you feel unsafe, call 112. Seek medical care and ask for documentation if you were physically harmed.2. Preserve evidence. Save messages, emails, and notes. Identify witnesses. Avoid public posts that could expose you to retaliation or defamation risks.3. Consider internal reporting. Use your employer’s reporting channels and request written acknowledgment. Ask about interim protective measures such as separation from the alleged harasser.4. Get legal advice quickly. Contact a lawyer in Piacenza who handles sexual harassment, labor law, and criminal law. Ask about free legal aid eligibility.5. Decide on legal actions. Your lawyer may file a querela, seek protective measures, start an anti-discrimination action in the labor court, or pursue damages in civil court. Strategies can be combined and sequenced.6. Use support services. Contact 1522 and local anti-violence centers for confidential support, safety planning, and accompaniment.7. Follow up and document. Keep a timeline, copies of reports, and updates from HR, police, and your lawyer.

Important: Laws and procedures can change, and deadlines can be short. This guide is not legal advice. Speak to a qualified lawyer in Piacenza about your specific situation.