A judge in Italy has sparked uproar by ruling that groping is only a crime if it lasts more than 10 seconds.
The decision was made in response to a case involving a school caretaker who groped a 17-year-old student.
The judge acquitted the caretaker, saying that the groping "does not constitute a crime" because it lasted for between five and 10 seconds.
The controversial ruling has caused outrage in Italy, with the term "palpata breve" becoming part of a viral video trend on TikTok and Instagram, in which Italians simulate groping their intimate parts for 10 seconds straight while staring at the camera.
The ruling has also been criticized for potentially discouraging victims of sexual harassment from reporting incidents to the police.
The victim of the groping incident, now 18, has expressed her disappointment with the ruling and fears it may deter other victims from coming forward.
The judge acquitted the caretaker, saying that the groping "does not constitute a crime" because it lasted for between five and 10 seconds.
The controversial ruling has caused outrage in Italy, with the term "palpata breve" becoming part of a viral video trend on TikTok and Instagram, in which Italians simulate groping their intimate parts for 10 seconds straight while staring at the camera.
The ruling has also been criticized for potentially discouraging victims of sexual harassment from reporting incidents to the police.
The victim of the groping incident, now 18, has expressed her disappointment with the ruling and fears it may deter other victims from coming forward.