Amy Mek
On New Year’s Eve, Milan’s Piazza del Duomo, typically a symbol of celebration, became the backdrop for a harrowing, violent sexual attack by Islamic Middle Eastern migrants involving a group of Belgian students. Laura, a 20-year-old student from Liège, recounted the traumatic events that unfolded as she and her friends sought to welcome the New Year in one of Italy’s most iconic squares.
A Night of Terror
Laura and her group, consisting of four women and two men, arrived at Piazza del Duomo anticipating a festive atmosphere. However, as midnight approached, they observed a noticeable absence of tourists and locals, replaced instead by groups of Islamic men who did not appear to be Italian. “As soon as we arrived, we noticed very few tourists and Italians,” Laura explained, adding that insults such as ‘Fuck you, Italy’ and ‘Shitty police’ were directed at the country and its law enforcement. “We were trapped, powerless in the face of so much violence. It was a waking nightmare.” This atmosphere of hostility set an ominous tone.
Seeking safety, the group decided to enter the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, believing it to be a secure location. It was here that they were encircled by approximately forty men aged between 20 and 40. The assailants blocked their path and began groping the women, touching their private parts both over and under their clothing. Laura recounted, “They clasped our hands and arms, groping us both above and underneath our clothes.” The sexual attack lasted for about ten minutes—“an eternity,” she said, “though in those moments, you lose sense of time.”
A Cry for Help Met with Inaction
In the midst of the chaos, an Italian man intervened, rescuing his wife and Laura from the aggressive mob. “He dragged me by the arm while saving his wife, who was screaming with all her strength,” Laura recalled. “It was an Italian gentleman who saved me and his wife. Otherwise, I don’t know what would have happened to me.” Once out of immediate danger, Laura approached a policewoman, desperate for assistance. “She had tears in her eyes and told me, ‘I cannot do anything, I am sorry,’” Laura said. This response revealed a disturbing inability—or unwillingness—to provide immediate aid to victims.
Lingering Trauma and Calls for Justice
The psychological impact of the assault has been profound. Laura and her friends have sought psychological support to process the trauma. Reflecting on the incident, Laura shared her internal struggle: “It’s difficult to accept the fact that something was done without my consent… It’s difficult to accept that I was dirtied, lynched in front of everyone.”
The group plans to file a formal complaint with the police in Liège, as the Milan prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation based on press reports. Currently, there are no identified suspects, but authorities are reviewing CCTV footage. Disturbingly, Laura explained that similar assaults occurred in the same location two years ago, yet adequate security measures were never implemented. “These events could have been avoided if there had been more police on the square,” she said, echoing widespread frustration over Italy’s inability to safeguard its public spaces.
A Disturbing Pattern: Taharrush and the Spread of Violence
This incident is not isolated. Reports indicate that at least five cases of sexual assault occurred during the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Milan, involving multiple victims, including a British couple and a South American woman. The attacks resemble the Arabic sexual assault phenomenon known as Taharrush, where women are surrounded and assaulted by coordinated groups of men. First gaining global attention during the 2013 Cairo uprising, this “game” has since spread to Europe, exposing the darker side of unchecked migration.
Such violence is part of a broader trend, as cities like Cologne, Paris, and Brussels have also experienced coordinated migrant gang assaults targeting women in public spaces. Videos from Milan show men waving foreign flags, including Iraq, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, shouting insults like “Fuck you, Italy,” and declaring, “We are not in 2025! We are in 1449!” referring to the Islamic calendar. These brazen displays of hostility and violence are just further examples of the failure of integration policies and the danger of open borders.
A Call for Action: Close Italy’s Borders Now
Laura’s decision to speak out highlights systemic failures that have left European women vulnerable. The lack of adequate police presence and the inability to act during the assaults demonstrate a complete abdication of responsibility by the Italian government.
Silvia Sardone, a prominent Member of the European Parliament and vocal critic of open-border policies, condemned the assaults: “These crimes are a direct result of failed integration and rising hostility from migrant communities. We cannot continue to allow those who hate our country and our police to remain in Italy.” Sardone’s remarks come amidst renewed calls for stricter immigration controls and deportation of offenders.
Sardone has faced vile threats, including gang rape and torture, from Islamic migrant communities she has exposed. Despite these attempts to silence her, she remains one of Italy’s fiercest voices for secure borders and justice for victims.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Lega party, Matteo Salvini, also spoke out about the migrants causing chaos in Milan’s Piazza del Duomo:
This is not simply about security; it is about survival. Italy must wake up and recognize the threat posed by these individuals who, far from integrating, openly flaunt their hostility toward their host nation. Borders must be closed, and those who pose a threat must be deported. No more excuses, no more delays. This is a matter of protecting Italian citizens from further harm.
If Italy refuses to act, these nightmares will continue, turning celebrations into battlegrounds. The safety of the people must come first—and the time to act is now.
RAIR Foundation
Vlad Tepes
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