Denim Day – What is it?

Content Warning: Sexual Assault

Hi ShoutOut JMU readers,

As some of you may know, tomorrow, April 24th, is Denim Day. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Denim Day is an annual day of international support for survivors of sexual assault. Notjustagirl13’s blog on “April & Sexual Assault Awareness” covered events held over the course of April to raise awareness around sexual assault, empower survivors, and provide resources to those affected by sexual assault. I will be covering the historical significance of Denim Day and why you should wear denim tomorrow.

In 1992, an 18-year-old girl was raped by her 45-year-old driving instructor during her first driving lesson in Italy. This 18-year-old girl was directed towards an isolated road, pulled out of her car, forcibly undressed, and then raped. After this brutal attack, he threatened to kill her if she spoke up about her assault. When she got home, she told her family and decided to press charges. This case was brought all the way up to the Italian Supreme Court. He was initially convicted of rape and put in jail. At a later date, the perpetrator appealed his sentence, with his argument being that the survivor’s jeans were “too tight,” that she must have helped him take them off, and that she must have given consent. Disgustingly, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the initial ruling made in 1998 using her jeans as a sign of consent.

Soon after this, the women who were serving in the Italian Parliament at the time were outraged. They decided to protest this unjust ruling by wearing jeans to work. This was the first movement and what became a widespread protest. After this, women in other governments around the world, including the United States, decided to do the same and wear jeans to work. Denim Day has been observed annually since 1999 and is every April.

Communities such as JMU have observed Denim Day and have been actively working to raise awareness around sexual assault year-round. At JMU, there is a club called Students Against Sexual Violence that actively works to provide consent education to organizations all across campus with an emphasis on fraternities. This presentation emphasizes the fact that clothing does not equal consent. JMU University Recreation Center puts together an event called Green Dot Action Day to help students become active bystanders in cases of sexual assault and stalking.

Why should you wear denim tomorrow?

By wearing denim, you are supporting survivors all around you. Please note that wearing denim on Denim Day is not limited to women, as men can also wear denim to support survivors. Sexual assault is not exclusively an issue faced by women; however, sexual assault occurs more frequently to women than men in terms of assault per capita. By wearing denim, you’re not outing yourself as a survivor; you can wear it in solidarity with those who have experienced this. You are making a statement to the world that you don’t believe clothing is equal to consent.

Here are a few resources for survivors of sexual assault  at JMU and in Harrisonburg: 

https://www.jmu.edu/victimadvocacy/resources.shtml

https://www.thecollinscenter.org

24 Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673