New Year’s Eve in Milan turned into a harrowing ordeal for six Belgian tourists who were sexually assaulted by a group of up to 40 foreign men. The attack, which unfolded in the bustling Piazza Duomo, has reignited criticism over failed integration policies and the handling of immigrant-related crimes by Italian authorities.
The victims, four young women and two men from Liège, had come to Milan to celebrate the holiday. However, the festive mood soured when a large group of young men, reportedly carrying flags from countries such as Iraq, Pakistan, and the UAE, surrounded them near the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II just after midnight.
“They held our hands while others touched us under our clothes,” recounted 21-year-old Laura Barbier in an interview with Ansa. Calling it a “night of terror,” she described how the group felt utterly powerless. “Three of us, including myself, were sexually assaulted. They put their hands in my underwear. It went way too far,” she told Belgian news outlet 7s7.
The students managed to break free and fled toward Piazza della Scala, where they found a police officer to report the incident. Laura revealed they had earlier approached police in Piazza Duomo for help finding a taxi but were dismissed with a casual “ciao.” She believes the assault wasn’t seen by officers due to the massive crowd and their position behind a column.
Although no complaints were filed that night, Laura stated her group plans to lodge an official report with Belgian authorities. Italian police may use the testimony, alongside security camera footage from the area, to investigate further.
Silvia Sardone, a Milan city councilor and Member of the European Parliament with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini’s Lega party, has slammed the incident as evidence of “failed integration.” Calling the testimony “terrible,” Sardone accused Milan’s mayor of silence on the issue and urged stricter citizenship policies to address crime committed by foreign nationals.
“Too many foreigners commit crimes and don’t deserve to be in our country,” Sardone remarked, pointing to similar incidents in previous years, including a New Year’s Eve attack in 2021 where migrants sexually assaulted Italian women.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated case. Government data indicates that while migrants make up 8% of Italy’s population, they account for 42% of all reported rapes. Milan, in particular, has struggled with rising crime and public disorder, fueled by waves of illegal immigration, primarily from northern Africa via the Mediterranean.
The attack in Milan draws comparisons to the infamous New Year’s Eve 2015 assaults in Cologne, Germany, where nearly 2,000 women were sexually assaulted by groups of North African and Middle Eastern migrants.
Back in Belgium, Laura is receiving psychological support as she processes the traumatic experience. “I thought this only happened in movies,” she said. “But now that it’s happened to me, I can’t keep quiet. This has to stop.”
Milan police are expected to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses, including an Italian couple who reportedly helped the Belgian group escape. Authorities have yet to confirm specific details or announce arrests.
The incident has fueled ongoing debates over immigration policies, crime rates among migrants, and the accountability of local governments in addressing these complex issues. As Milan grapples with the aftermath, many are calling for tangible action to ensure safety for residents and tourists alike.
