Today is Denim Day and from denimdayusa.org, here is some history on why this day is so important to bring awareness about sexual violence:
“For the past 15 years, Peace Over Violence has run the Denim Day in L.A. and USA campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month. The campaign was originally triggered by 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. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.
In this rape prevention education campaign we ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault. This year’s Denim Day will be held on April 23, 2014 and will focus on educating the community at large on the legal definition of consent.”
What you wear whether it is jeans, a skirt, or a dress, does NOT give anyone permission to rape another person! Wear your jeans in pride today to bring more awareness and let’s talk about it. There is a great “No Excuse” and “Bystander” Campaign, this is great to help spread awareness!
