College women in Perugia still worry they are seen as vulnerable objects

Story and photos by Abby Hart

During her eight-year legal ordeal in Italy, American college student Amanda Knox was portrayed by the media as a vixen gone wild, a Foxy Knoxy who bent the will of two men to do her sexual bidding and murderous deeds. Knox was innocent, but Italians objectified her good looks and open demeanor.

In November - 10 years after Knox was arrested in her roommate's brutal murder, and eight years after her complete exoneration - three University of Perugia women talked about the lingering problems with objectification of women, and intentional drugging.

The women -- ages 19, 20 and 22 -- were interviewed at central campus locations.

Q: Do you think that women in today's society are objectified and in what ways do you see it?

Veronica (above): Women in today’s society are definitely objectified. I see this in several aspects of society mainly in our media and culture. Women in movies and other forms of entertainment are often exploited for their bodies. The objectification of women is also prevalent in the everyday lives of women everywhere.

Simona (below on bench): I believe they are. Women are almost always portrayed as sexual figures in the media and in movies. Actresses are almost always wearing revealing clothes and crying about boys so that implies that is all they're good for.

Miriam (at bottom, walking): I guess it depends on where in the world you are looking. I feel like most women are not because we have the ability to move up in society. I hear jokes about it sometimes but they were intended to be jokes so I'm not bothered by it.

Q: Do you have any personal experiences about a time that you were objectified?

Veronica: I have been objectified several times in bars and walking down the street. Men think it is acceptable to call women names and touch them without permission but it is not. Two men have shouted at me while being here walking down the street.

Simona: I think most women have had an experience where they have been groped at a bar or received unwanted attention from a man. Even when you tell them no they still think you want them to talk to you for whatever reason.

Miriam: Not that I can think of besides maybe being called after.

Q: Have you noticed a problem with women being drugged at bars and other locations?

Veronica: Yes.

Simona:  I have never experienced it happening to myself, but I know it does happen.

Miriam: Yeah a lot of women get drugged but men honestly get drugged a lot too.  I think more people recognize and are more concerned with women getting drugged because often times the person who drugged them intends to take advantage of them.

Q: Have you had/ heard any stories about this happening? 

Veronica: I met a girl whose friend was drugged at a bar here (in Perugia). After a guy bought her a drink she woke up in an unknown location. She was able to escape but it was clear that this man drugged her drink and took her from the bar. She ended up being safe but this type of thing seems to occur too frequently.

Simona: A friend of mine had an experience where it happened to her, and she was almost kidnapped by a taxi driver while she was trying to get home. Scary stuff

Miriam: Two girls in my study abroad program were drugged earlier this semester.  They were really freaked out.  They both made it home safely and weren't harmed but they had a really hard time accepting what happened.  They thought it was their fault. I feel like it's not fair for them to feel that way because they shouldn't have to worry about something like that.  It's unfortunate that we have to look out for that kind of stuff.