Every year, almost half a million reports of rape are in the United States alone. Only six percent of rapists serve a day or more in jail.
https://www.rainn.org/statistics/criminal-justice-system
(ALT TEXT: Pictured above is a graph that is titled “Out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, 975 perpetrators will walk free” with small graphics representing people showing 310 are reported, 50 lead to arrest, 28 cases lead to a felony conviction, and 25 perpetrators will be incarcerated.)
Students Against Sexual Violence (SASV) works on the JMU campus to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses. The main form of education is the Consent Education Presentations. SASV consent educators present to social organizations and Greek Life students about consent, sexual violence, and how to be an active bystander. Another way they raise awareness is during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. One event that is really important to the org is Denim Day.
For an in-depth understanding of the history of Denim Day check out Denim Day-What is it? By girlsgirl. But, for those who are a bit lazy like myself, here is a quick summary of the importance of Denim Day:
On the third Wednesday of April in 1998, the Italian Supreme Court ruled that a woman was not raped, just because her jeans were simply too skinny. The Court let her perpetrator walk free and the survivor did not get the justice she deserved, and the Italian Parliament was pissed. That very next day, the Parliament wore all denim to support the survivor and to raise awareness that clothes do not equal consent.
This year, SASV went all out to show their support for survivors and continue the conversation around sexual violence. The org was dressed in all denim, with denim keychains, denim stickers, and even a giant sign made out of denim to raise awareness. I decided to go out and interview the Co-President, Catheryn Stumpf, to get her take on Denim Day and the importance of memorializing an event like this.
Pictured below are both Co-Presidents Allyson Riley (left) and Catheryn Stumpf (right).
(ALT TEXT: Pictured are two women, wearing all denim in front of a denim sign)
First I asked her how long does it take to plan an event like this? Seeing the giant denim sign, I knew the response had to be several days at least.
She replied, “We begin planning Denim Day about a month out from the date. This is because we want to make sure the event runs as smoothly as possible while also being big enough to draw attention to it across campus.” (The sign definitely drew my attention) “We use multiple meetings as opportunities to schedule the event and make our keychains by hand”, she continued.
(ALT TEXT: Above is the Denim Day sign that stood to the right of the tabling event. It is over seven feet tall and made entirely out of scraps of denim, with the words “Take a Stand, Denim Day, and #dukesweardenim @sasvjmu)
I wanted to know why Denim Day was such an important day for SASV, especially since a lot of people don’t even know about the importance of the day. On my way to the event and while I was near Warner Commons where the event was being held, I had three people ask me why everyone is wearing denim.
Catheryn responded to my question by saying “The unjust court case ruling that Denim Day revolves around is one of the countless reasons why we do our work. Many survivors of sexual violence do not get the justice, support, and resources they deserve. It is our mission as an organization to advocate for survivors and do whatever we can so voices are heard and treasured.”
Denim Day for SASV seems to be a day to raise awareness, but also let the people around them know that they feel seen and respected. The value of friendship in the organization is obvious from miles away. Everyone is so nice when you walk up to the stand, asking your name and if you are interested in as many free things they can give you. The tabling event was offering free strips of denim to promote education for Denim Day, free stickers, and free condoms.
(ALT TEXT: Pictured to the right are three jean pockets cut out and filled with SASV-made stickers. Below are keychains made of denim that has phrases that say “Denim Day 2024” “I ❤ consent” and “Consent is sexy”)
Lastly, I asked my favorite question to ask people, “What is your favorite part of all this?”
Catheryn said that her favorite part of Denim Day is, “seeing the impact of our work and the significance of sexual assault prevention on the faces of my peers on campus. Having the opportunity to educate those around me about Denim Day, advocacy, resources, etc., is such a joy and privilege.”
Overall, this event was very empowering for me, seeing people learn in real time about the movement and automatically wanting to join to support was an amazing feeling. Denim Day is important for SASV because it seems they aren’t out there to raise funds or promote the org, but to raise awareness and really get the people talking.
RESOURCES
Victim Advocacy – This source leads to a page full of resources that are helpful to anyone in need of assistance, no matter if you want to report or not.
Title IX – This source details Title IX, what your rights are under Title IX, and what they can do to help you.
Sexual Trauma Empowerment Program– This source is for counseling and can also provide resources for survivors. They provide individual, group, and emergency counseling.
1-800-656-4673– This number is the National Sexual Assault Hotline and is available 24 hours a day.
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