Maybe you have heard murmurings, maybe you have seen it in the news, but do you know what
it is really about? I didn’t until this April. In preparation for our Women’s Center events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I learned about Denim Day and what it stands for.
This year, Denim Day falls on April 22 and organizations and schools all across the nation will take part in events to show support for rape awareness and education.
Okay so you wear denim on a certain day, but why denim for rape awareness?
It started in Italy in 1992.
“In 1992, an 18-year-old girl in Italy was picked-up by her driving instructor to begin a driving lesson. Soon after, she was raped on the side of the road by the instructor. She pressed charges and won her case. The instructor appealed, and the case went to the Italian High Court.
In 1999, the Court overturned the conviction with a member of the High Court declaring that since the victim wore very tight jeans, the instructor could not have removed them himself; therefore, the victim must have willingly participated.” (Supportdenimday.com)
After the High Court granted the instructor an appeal in 1999, women in the Italian Legislature began wearing jeans to work in protest. By April of that year a social service agency in L.A. held the first Denim Day in the U.S. The protest has now spread across the nation and is not only used to protest the case in Italy but to spread rape awareness and the need for rape education.
Seems pretty simple, right? But by wearing denim on April 22 and telling people about what it is and why they should wear denim too, you are not only showing your support for rape victims everywhere but you will also be helping to raise awareness about rape and sexual violence and the need for continuing education. So please do your part on Denim Day next Thursday, wear some denim and help spread the word.