The Woman who Refused to Marry Her Rapist and Broke a Horrifying Law as a Result
Franca Viola was only 19 when her abusive ex kidnapped her and raped her in an attempt to turn her into a ‘dishonoured woman’ and marry her.
In the early 1960s, Franca Viola was a young woman living in Sicily. She was only 19 when her abusive ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and raped her in an attempt to turn her into a ‘dishonoured woman’ and marry her.
Viola’s story is one of immense courage, and she ultimately played a pivotal role in changing a centuries-old law that allowed rapists to avoid punishment if they married their victims.
In 1963, when she was just 15, Viola got engaged to a local Mafia boy called Filippo Melodia. But soon after the engagement took place, Melodia was arrested for theft. Her father forced her to break off the engagement.
Years later, when Viola got engaged and moved on with her life, Melodia started stalking her and threatening the young couple. He was not over her yet and could not accept defeat.
Viola’s violent ordeal
Viola’s ordeal began when she was abducted by her ex, Filippo Melodia, who took her to his family home where he raped her.
