Denim Day is an important personal day for me. Having been sexually assaulted, pawed over, groped numerous times in my many years of life, particularly in a work environment, it is crucial to bring attention to this issue.
There is never a time or place where verbal, physical, or sexual violence is the answer. In the United States alone, someone is a victim of sexual assault every 92 seconds. Though ongoing efforts are made to support survivors of sexual assault, the month of April alone serves as a powerful symbol of solidarity with those who have been victimized. April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and throughout the month human rights activists from around the world come together to support survivors, educate communities, and spread public awareness. The Denim Day campaign, developed by Peace Over Violence, is held on April 24th and serves as a day for sexual assault survivors and human rights advocates to rise up and make their voices heard.
What is Denim Day?
This April marks the 20th anniversary of the Denim Day campaign. Denim Day was initially formed in response to a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, where a rape conviction in 1992 was overturned on the grounds that the victim’s jeans were “too tight” so she must have needed help from the person who raped her to take them off, thus implying consent. The court agreed that the victim was wearing too-tight jeans and that the act of removing her jeans was a form of consent. Following this overturned conviction, women in the Italian Parliament were so enraged they decided to take action by wearing denim jeans as an act of protest. The news surrounding this case traveled around the world, and soon Peace Over Violence instituted the first official Denim Day in April of 1999.
How Can I Show My Support?
Wear denim: Denim Day is a call to action for everyone to come together and wear denim in protest against sexual violence. The best way you can show your support for survivors while raising public awareness is to wear denim! If you don’t own any denim pieces, there are a variety of meaningful denim brands that offer a wide selection of clothing items while also doing their part and giving back. Genetic Los Angeles is one clothing company that does so by recycling old denim jeans. The jeans people donate are then redesigned and repurposed into tote bags and backpacks for homeless children who are in need.
Other clothing shops include thredUP, an online thrift shop that upcycles donated clothing, making clothes more affordable and accessible to women and children. thredUP also gives back to charities Like Girls Inc., an organization that works to inspire and empower women to achieve success. Madewell is another company that works closely with different organizations, including Girls Inc. and Blue Jeans Go Green™, to help make the community a better place. Show your support on Denim Day by wearing denim clothing from any of these ethical brands.
Attend a rally: Make a difference in the world by taking action this Denim Day. Wear your denim jeans to a rally, march, or event in your area to show your support and spread the message that sexual violence is never okay. By standing up and making your voice heard, you’re playing a role in the prevention of sexual assault. Not only are you spreading the message to fellow community members, but you’re making a social statement to students, businesses, elected politicians, and other individuals who hold decision-making roles in your community, state, and even the country. Whether you’re posting flyers around town or marching in solidarity with sexual assault survivors, there are a number of ways for you to get involved on Denim Day.
Advocate on social media : The activism doesn’t halt at the end of April 24th, nor does it discontinue as April comes to a close. Keep the conversation going on your social media channels by using the hashtag #DenimDay to connect with other individuals, spread the message, and share stories with one another. Logging into your social media is also a great way to stay in tune with news and events surrounding Denim Day, and is just another way to make your voice heard.
Make your protest against sexual violence visible this Denim Day by wearing denim, getting involved in local rallies and events, and continuing to advocate for sexual assault survivors on social media. Promote the prevention of sexual violence on April 24th, throughout the month of April, and throughout the years to come by staying involved and continuously supporting those who need it most.