Updated April 28, 2021, at 12:10 p.m. PT.
Wednesday, April 28, is Denim Day, a day where feminists and advocates around the globe wear denim in order to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault.
The Origins of Denim Day
Why denim?
The campaign began after a 1998 ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that, since the survivor was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans—thereby implying consent.
In its decision, the court stated, “It is a fact of common experience that it is nearly impossible to slip off tight jeans even partly without the active collaboration of the person who is wearing them.”
The ruling enraged women and feminists, sparking widespread protest.
The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.
Soon Patricia Giggans, executive director of the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women (now Peace Over Violence), made Denim Day an annual event.
The first Denim Day in LA was in April 1999, and has continued every year since for the past 21 years. Peace Over Violence runs the campaign on a Wednesday every April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Throughout the country and world, Denim Day sets a standard of support for survivors and provides a foundation for solidarity through a simple message: There is no excuse for sexual assault.
Take Action
Many are now taking part in Denim Day. You can too—even while working from home!
Join Peace Over Violence at the Denim Day Virtual Survivor Rally today at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET.
Share your photo in denim today and use the hashtags #denimday2021 #denimday #SAAM.
Are you wearing denim on Wednesday? Here is the history of why we wear denim in support of survivors on the last Wednesday of April.#DenimDay #DenimDay2021 #SAAM
— It's On Us (@ItsOnUs) April 28, 2021
[Alt text included with graphic. Graphic text written in the replies.] pic.twitter.com/Ilc3rkQUIE
Don’t let these jeans fool you. The answer is still no. #Denimday pic.twitter.com/psGZLAafJr
— 🤍 (@TiasInterlude) April 28, 2021
On this #DenimDay, we must double down on our resolve to end sexual violence in all forms and hold abusers, including serial abusers, accountable. pic.twitter.com/aHdvXQqxYy
— Jennifer Siebel Newsom (@JenSiebelNewsom) April 28, 2021
Today is the day. ARC staff is ready in their denim #DenimDay #JeansForAPurpose #SAAM pic.twitter.com/40yUziJib9
— #DENIMDAYZW (@AdultRapeClinic) April 28, 2021
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