What is Denim Day?
On April 30, Denim Day, wear jeans with purpose to join the millions raising awareness about sexual assault and education about the misconceptions surrounding it. Denim Day is recognized on the last Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The Denim Day story began in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year-old girl was raped by the 45-year-old driving instructor who was taking her to her very first driving lesson. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, removed her jeans and forcefully raped her.
She reported the rape, and the perpetrator was arrested and prosecuted. He was then convicted of rape and sentenced to jail. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming that the sex was consensual, leading the Italian Supreme Court to overturn the conviction and release the perpetrator. A statement from the Court argued that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to help remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not rape but consensual sex.
Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. This protest was picked up by international media which inspired the California Senate and Assembly to do the same on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. Thus, Denim Day was born. The first Denim Day event was held in April 1999 in LA and has continued annually since.
THCC asks community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement by wearing jeans on this day to raise awareness and help educate about sexual violence misconceptions.
Ways to show your support and help raise awareness:
Denim Day Photos: Wednesday, April 30. Wear denim (and/or teal; which is the color for sexual assault awareness) Take photos and email advancement@thrivinghearts.com and/or tag Thriving Hearts on Facebook.
Join THCC for Denim Day events:
- Seguin Central Park Downtown, 201 S Austin St, Seguin, TX 78155, 11 am – 1 pm
- Cibolo Multi-Event Center, 200 S Main St, Cibolo, TX 78108, 5-7 pm
