Rome mayor awards Vio for campaign against cyberbullying.

Rome mayor Virginia Raggi presented Paralympic fencing gold medallist Bebe Vio with an award on 17 May in recognition of her role in a campaign against cyberbullying.

The award ceremony in city hall came the same day as Italy passed legislation introducing stricter penalties against cyberbullying, following the high-profile suicides of several young victims of cyberbullies in Italy.

Vio, who lost both her legs from the knee and both her forearms after a severe case of meningitis aged 11, has herself been targeted by cyberbullies.

In February this year the 20-year-old champion notified police about a Facebook page containing insults and threats, some of a sexual nature, against her.

The page has since been removed and Vio's courage in stepping forward to highlight the issue has earned her widespread respect.