The Facebook group where 32,000 men shared intimate photos of their wives.

In 2019, a men's Facebook group quietly formed in Italy. It called itself Mia Moglie, or in English, My Wife.

Over the next six years, tens of thousands of men would post and share photos of their wives with the other group members.

But these weren't photos of their wives posing in front of tourist attractions, enjoying a meal, or having fun with friends or children.

These were intimate photos. Photos of their wives getting dressed, sunbathing, showering, even during sexual acts.

Watch: Coercive control is a deliberate pattern of abuse. Post continues after video.

Some photos had been taken secretly. Others were pulled from private exchanges or stolen from phones. Most were posted without consent.

Below the images, comments were left. Degrading and offensive remarks, alongside encouragement and requests for more photo uploads.

Italian activists described the group's activity as a form of "virtual gang rape", striping women of privacy, agency and dignity.

Despite thousands of complaints, it took years for Facebook's parent company, Meta, to act. In August, after sustained pressure from women's rights advocates, journalists, and Italy's Postal Police, the group was finally shut down.

"When I first learned about the group, I felt a deep sense of outrage. Not just for the women affected, but for what it symbolised about the normalisation of harm online and rape culture in general," actor, writer, and activist Tova Leigh told Mamamia.

Tova, known for her mix of comedy, storytelling, and activism, used her social media platform to speak out about the group, which had amassed 32,000 members by the time it closed.

"These terms people used— 'virtual gang rape,' 'collective violation' — they feel tragically accurate," she said.

"The coordinated sharing and commentary turned individual violations into a collective act of harm. It mirrors real-world sexual violence, only magnified by scale and anonymity."

While the Mia Moglie revelations were shocking, they're unfortunately not isolated.

Italian law has recognised the non-consensual sharing of intimate images as a crime since 2019. But enforcement is inconsistent, and cross-border cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute.

By the time authorities shut Mia Moglie, the damage to thousands of women had already been done.

Because, Tova argues, the scandal was about more than stolen photos.

"It shows that women's bodies are still treated as commodities — to be consumed, traded, and discussed without consent," she said.

"Digital spaces too often mirror, or even amplify, the misogyny present in society at large."

Tova feels those with a platform have an opportunity to amplify survivors' voices, spark conversations, and pressure institutions to act.

"Art can make abstract issues deeply personal and relatable, which is crucial when trying to shift public consciousness," she said.

Speaking out against online abuse, of course, comes with its own dangers, such as trolls, backlash, and accusations of being "too political." But Tova says staying silent felt riskier.

"There's always the risk of backlash. But silence felt like a bigger risk, to myself and to others."

She says she has received overwhelming support from her followers and peers, though she's quick to point out that supportive words alone aren't enough.

"There's still a long way to go in translating outrage into meaningful policy or systemic change."

Tova says a mix of law reform, platform accountability, and cultural change is necessary.

"If platforms profit from engagement, they must also be accountable for harms that occur on their watch, especially when they fail to act on clear reports of abuse," she said.

Although the group's shutdown was considered a victory, Tova says for real change to take place, more people need to speak out against misogynistic and abusive behaviour.

"What I hope people — especially men — take away from learning about this case is that silence equals complicity," Tova said.

"Men must challenge toxic behaviours among peers, online and offline, and recognise that this isn't a 'women's issue' but a societal one.

"Silence isn't neutral. Silence enables harm. And that's why we can't afford to stay quiet."

Feature image: Getty.