Private violence

Changing the entire lock of main house door may constitute private violence? Changing the lock of the entrance door with the intention of preventing spouse’s access may constitute an act of private violence. In fact, art. 610 Criminal Code states that “whoever, with violence or threat, force others to do, tolerate or omit something”. Then, the sentence n. 38910/2018 confirms that lock changing may constitute a crime act according aforementioned article. In the present case, the wife changed the lock of the house preventing the access to the husband who was the exclusive owner of the property. It is possible to distinguish two forms of violence: proper violence and improper violence. The expression “proper violence” means physical violence against an individual, while improper violence indicates the use of an instrument aiming to generate pressure on others’ freedom.