The Attorney General, Luigi Patronaggio, requested the convening of the Permanent Conference—the decision-making body that oversees matters concerning the Palace of Justice—with a request, on the agenda, to approve a formal dress code regulation, in light of several "problems" that had arisen in recent days following the installation of signs prohibiting entry to anyone wearing shorts, miniskirts, tank tops, hats, or see-through clothing. The final straw was the difficulties encountered by a young woman, subject to the delicate "Red Code" protocol, who was scheduled to be interviewed by investigators at the Prosecutor's Office for sexual assault. Blocked at the entrance because of her shorts, she had to wait for the intervention of one of the social workers working in the "vulnerable persons" area, who brought her a gown to allow her entry.

No fault

It must be immediately made clear that the security officers manning the turnstiles are not at fault. The young woman—as is right—did not tell them, for confidentiality reasons, that she was under a "Code Red" or the reason why she needed to go to the Prosecutor's Office. The fact remains that the risk of "secondary victimization," meaning that a victim of violence could even be penalized simply for her clothing, triggered the reaction of Public Prosecutor Marco Cocco and Chief Prosecutor Rodolfo Sabelli. Hence, the request from Attorney General Patronaggio to reconvene the decision-making body, which brings together—in addition to the two top prosecutors' offices—the President of the Court of Appeal, the President of the Tribunal, the President of the Surveillance Department, and all administrative officials, with the participation of the President of the Bar Association. They must draft a regulation that takes every situation into account, so as not to penalize anyone, least of all the victims of such serious crimes.

The posters

The ban on shorts, miniskirts, tank tops, hats, flip-flops, slippers, and excessively see-through clothing was enacted in recent days when posters appeared at the entrance turnstiles and in various areas of the judicial center in Piazza Repubblica. Initially directed only at "visitors," they were later extended to all those entering the Palace of Justice. According to reports, the decision was made in July by the Permanent Conference, but in light of several critical situations identified by the Attorney General's Office in the first week of its implementation, the Attorney General's Patronaggio has now urged the adoption of a specific regulation.

The reactions

The measure immediately sparked debate among regulars at the Palace, particularly lawyers. The first few hours of the law's implementation immediately revealed some practical issues. Several people summoned for questioning or to obtain a document from the criminal record office were stopped for wearing inappropriate clothing; some were forced to buy trousers from local shops. Now, after the latest incident, the decision will be returned to the Palace of Justice's governing body for the necessary changes.  

Francesco Pinna

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