Wednesday, April 28th, 2021.

Denim Day. An anual day in honor of all of the survivors of sexual violence. Denim Day is a day to spread awareness, educate, and wear denim with a purpose.

Why Denim?

Italy 1992. Twenty-nine years ago while an 18 year old female was taking a driving lesson, she was taken advantage of by her 45 year old male driving instructor. After reporting the crime, the driving instructor was found guilty and was sent to jail. Years pass and he comes up with the claim that what he did was all consensual to get out of jail. The court’s argument was that the survivor was wearing very tight denim jeans. The clothing plays a part in the court’s argument, while what a person wears should not correlate with actions. The court said that the survivor was wearing tight jeans so she would’ve had to help him take them off, and this meaning she would’ve been contributing to the actions and “giving him consent.” The case and all of the information got released to the public and it caused outrage. The women of Italy took to the steps of the Supreme court and wore denim jeans in protest. The news got out and it went international. Denim events happened in the United States and Denim Day was born.

Every year since 1999, Denim Day has been a day for survivors of sexual violence. Denim Day is a global campaign and always will be. Denim Day in 2019 had 10,679,597 people wear jeans with a purpose.

Wearing a certain article of clothing does not mean consent is given. People should be able to wear whatever they want and not worry about things happening to them. While there is the argument many people try to make, “Well look at what they’re wearing,” “What they’re wearing is asking for it,” and the question “What were they wearing?” The denim jeans the survivor wore goes to show that an everyday, basic piece of apparel can still have sexual violence attached to it. The clothing isn’t the problem, the problem is people.

Spreading awareness is a way anyone can help. Wearing denim on April 28th can help spread awareness. Posting about it and talking to people about it can also help educate and spread awareness on sexual violence.

24/7 LA Rape & Battering Hotline: 626.793.3385 | 310.392.8381 | 213.626.3393

RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255