During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 25th is Denim Day. The Women’s Center will share information about National Denim Day on April 25, 2018 between 12:00-2:00 p.m. in Talley Student Union.
Why Denim?
Denim Day was started in response to a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Denim Day was developed in response to this case and wearing jeans during this annual event has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.
As news of the decision spread, so did the protest. In April 1999, a social service agency in Los Angeles established the first Denim Day in the United States. More information can be found on the National Denim Day website.
When you participate in Denim Day, you:
- Make it possible for more sexual assault survivors to reach out and find help.
- Promote prevention through education, so sexual violence doesn’t occur.
- Encourage institutional and societal change.
- Make a powerful statement without ever saying a word.
Wear your denim!
- For more information about this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month events and how you can take part, please see the SAAM calendar.