revealing borderline Cases between corrUption and gendeR-based cRimes and violENce: SEX Instead of Money in Developed Countries

Descripción del proyecto

La corrupción basada en el intercambio de sexo y el reto de definir el abuso de poder

El intercambio de favores sexuales por ventajas o protección en situaciones de desequilibrio de poder constituye una forma de abuso compleja y difícil de identificar, en la que confluyen la corrupción y la violencia de género. En el proyecto CURRENSEX, que cuenta con el respaldo de las acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, se investigarán casos en los que el sexo es empleado como forma de soborno en contextos de desequilibrio de poder. También se analizarán las condiciones socioculturales y jurídicas que rodean estos casos, cuya clasificación suele resultar difícil. El objetivo es esclarecer cómo funcionan estos casos límite a través de una investigación comparativa entre Italia y Estados Unidos, y de un trabajo empírico en el ámbito del empleo privado y la educación superior. El resultado de esta investigación serán unas directrices prácticas para los profesionales del derecho.

Objetivo

In recent years, there has been an increase in corruption cases where sex, rather than money, is the currency of the bribe, in which
those with authority, power, and influence seek to sexually exploit those who are vulnerable and dependent on their power in
exchange for benefits that they have the power to grant, influence or deny. This is the context of recent actions under
the EU Strategy for Gender Equality 2020-2025– and the forthcoming Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030–, the EU Security Strategy 2020-2025, and the forthcoming new European internal security strategy. However, when the object of the exchange is a sexual benefit,
it can be challenging to determine with certainty the distinction between corrupt transactions in which sex is the currency of the
bribe and outright sexual abuse that possibly includes elements of quid pro quo. The lack of common knowledge, language, and
tools to address cases occurring at the intersection of corruption and gender-based violence increases the risk of under-reporting,
impunity, and secondary victimization.
CURRENSEX aims to explore the socio-cultural and legal conditions that allow for the development of borderline cases between
corruption and gender-based violence. It ultimately develops guidelines for legal practitioners to facilitate the assessment of cases of
abuse of power in which sex represents the currency exchange.
To reach this objective, CURRENSEX benefits from comparing Italy with the United States, conducting desk-research and fieldwork
in the sectors of private employment and higher education. In addition, to ensure the quality, interdisciplinarity, and innovation of the Project, and gain new skills and competencies, I will conduct my research at the University of Chicago and Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa under the guidance and expertise of Professors Kimberly Kay Hoang (sociology of gender) and Gaetana Morgante (criminal law).