Denim Day meant to support sexual assault victims
We often throw on a pair of jeans without thinking much about it, but on April 26, denim will take on new meaning.
Taking place on the last Wednesday of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Denim Day is a day of action and awareness in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual violence.
We celebrate Denim Day in honor of an Italian woman who was forcibly raped in 1992 by her driving instructor. The woman pressed charges, but the case was dismissed because the chief judge decided that, “…because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans, it was no longer rape, but consensual sex,” according to denimday.org. This became known as the “Jeans Alibi.” The woman who was raped appealed the decision and subsequently the rapist was convicted and sentenced to a lesser charge of indecent exposure.
The court decision sparked outrage worldwide. Women were furious to learn that the indication of a woman’s choice of jean or clothing is indicative of consent.
Victim blaming, whether it be intentional or unintentional, is a problem in our community and communities across the world. It has never been OK to assault someone on the basis of what they are simply wearing.
“Sexual assault and sexual violence is such a taboo topic, it doesn’t really get talked about a lot,” said Lisa Olmos, with the Del Mar Counseling Center.
“People will have access to resources and support and hopefully feel like they are not alone anymore,” Olmos stated about the April 26 event. The Purple Door will have a denim display set up at the Heritage Campus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to stop by and write words of encouragement on the display. For more information on the movement check out www.denimday.org.
