Italy's Meloni promises change in lawless town near Naples after rape of two minors

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni travelled to a crime-ridden town near Naples on Thursday, where two young girls were recently raped, in a controversial visit that followed the premier’s decision to cut social benefits to the generally poorer residents of the area.

Local media reported the two girls, aged 10 and 12, residents of an area called Parco Verde di Caivano (literally: Green Park of Caivano) - a social housing neighbourhood - were raped by a group of six men in an abandoned warehouse once used by the Camorra, the local mafia. 

Most of the abusers were under the age of 14, while one was 19.

According to reports, the girls were subject to the same abuse six or seven times for months on an end until July. They have been taken away from their families - who are considered guilty of ignoring signs that something was wrong with the two girls - and placed with social services in another town.

It’s not the first time that Caivano, known to be something of a lawless town, has found itself in the spotlight. For years, the area has been a location where the local mafia deals drugs and hides supplies and weapons.

In 2014, 6-year-old Fortuna Loffredo was raped and murdered by her step-father, who pushed her off a balcony on the eighth floor of a building in Parco Verde di Caivano.

Ten years ago, the area was also known as the “Land of Fires” or “Triangle of Death” due to the toxic fumes produced by burning waste illegally.

The recent rape of the two girls sparked cries for the government to visit the town and intervene to change its destiny.

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But while Meloni was called by the family of the two girls to visit the town of Caivano, the right-wing prime minister