Sexual Assault Awareness Month
DENIM DAY
Why wear denim? Denim Day is an internationally recognized day of protest against men’s sexual violence towards women. Denim Day stems from a 1999 Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. The justices, relying on rape myths, "reasoned" that the 18-year-old victim must have helped her 45-year-old attacker remove her jeans, which they felt implied consent. The Court stated in its decision that “It is common knowledge…that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them…” This beyond-contemptible judgment sparked worldwide outcry from those who understand that coercion, threats, and violence go along with the act of rape.
Denim Day puts the responsibility of rape on the perpetrator. Wearing jeans is a statement that the clothes you wear do not imply your consent for sex!
Why wear denim? Denim Day is an internationally recognized day of protest against men’s sexual violence towards women. Denim Day stems from a 1999 Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. The justices, relying on rape myths, "reasoned" that the 18-year-old victim must have helped her 45-year-old attacker remove her jeans, which they felt implied consent. The Court stated in its decision that “It is common knowledge…that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them…” This beyond-contemptible judgment sparked worldwide outcry from those who understand that coercion, threats, and violence go along with the act of rape.
Denim Day puts the responsibility of rape on the perpetrator. Wearing jeans is a statement that the clothes you wear do not imply your consent for sex!