Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's partner, TV presenter Andrea Giambruno, has faced backlash and accusations of victim-blaming after his controversial comments on rape. While discussing recent gang-rapes in the country on his show on channel Rete 4, Giambruno stated that women could avoid sexual assault if they "do not get too drunk." He added, "If you avoid getting drunk and losing consciousness, perhaps you'd also avoid getting into trouble because then you'll find the wolf." These remarks sparked outrage and political condemnation in Italy and sparked a heated debate on social media. Critics argue that Giambruno's comments perpetuate a culture of victim-blaming and shift the responsibility for sexual assault onto the victims themselves.

Cecilia D'Elia, a senator with the opposition Partito Democratico, stated, "They just can't help but blame women... All this is no longer acceptable." The opposition Five Star Movement party (M5S) also described Giambruno's words as "unacceptable, shameful," and reflective of a "male-dominated and retrograde culture." However, Giambruno denied the accusations of victim-blaming and argued that his comments were taken out of context. He claimed that he had prefaced his remarks by condemning rape as an abominable act. He insisted that he had advised young people not to purposefully get drunk or do drugs, emphasizing the importance of being cautious because "the bad guys are always out there."

Giambruno argued that his comments did not imply that men were entitled to rape drunk women. This controversy surrounding Giambruno is not the first time his comments have sparked outrage. Previously, he told German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach to "stay at home, stay in the Black Forest" in response to Lauterbach's remarks about the viability of tourism to southern Europe during intense heatwaves. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has a young daughter with Giambruno, has not publicly commented on the situation.

The public and politicians continue to express their disappointment and criticize Giambruno's remarks, emphasizing the importance of educating boys to show respect rather than teaching girls to be cautious. Alessandra Mussolini, an Italian politician and granddaughter of Benito Mussolini, firmly stated, "Rape is rape, and if that is not understood, then for us women, it's all over."