From January 1 to July 23 there were 65, to which the latest deaths mostly at the hands of partners or exes have been added.

With respect to last year, there have been more femicides “in a family or affections ambit”, said the Viminale report.

Italy earlier this week set up a parliamentary commission of inquiry into the femicide phenomenon.

Successive governments have passed anti-femicide measures including flagging domestic violence more clearly and issuing restraining orders.

ANSA