Denim Day is recognized each year on a Wednesday in April because of its connection with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is honored during April. Denim Day was created in 1999 by Peace Over Violence, and it is the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history.
What is the origin of Denim Day?: In Italy in 1992, an 18 year old girl was raped by a 45 year old driver’s education instructor who was hired for her first driving lesson. He guided her to an isolated road and forcibly removed her from the vehicle. He then proceeded to forcibly remove her jeans and brutally raped her, threatening to kill her if she told anyone about the rape. She bravely reported the rape to her parents and the police, and the perpetrator was arrested, prosecuted, and convicted of rape. Years later, the rapist would appeal this conviction to the Italian Supreme Court alleging that the rape was consensual because of the tightness of her jeans and the difficulty of removing them. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the rapist’s conviction and released him, fueling mass outrage from the women who were in the Italian Parliament. In protest of this ruling, the women who worked in the Italian Parliament all wore jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. This protest was reported on international media, which led to the founding of Denim Day in the USA.
This protest, through wearing jeans, highlights the importance of preventing victim blaming. It is never the victim’s fault when sexual assault occurs, and many common ‘myths’ surrounding causes for sexual assault are false. According to Peace Over Violence, rape occurs not because of the appearance of the victim, but because the perpetrator decided that their desires are more important than the victim’s autonomy and self-determination. A life free from sexual violence is the right of every person living in society.
Denim Day was first founded in Los Angeles, California by Patricia Occhiuzzo Giggans, who is the founder and executive director of Peace Over Violence. This organization seeks to prevent child abuse, youth violence, sexual and domestic violence, and intimate partner stalking. They are dedicated to social change, social justice, and social service. Ms. Giggans is also the executive director of the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women (LACAAW) and has been with the organization since 1985. She is the author of many books and the founder of Karate Women School of Movement and Martial Arts, the first women-only martial arts school in Southern California. LACAAW is now known as Peace Over Violence.
What can you do if you want to help this Denim Day 2025? Wear Jeans! Denim Day is the day when community members, elected officials, businesses, and students should wear jeans to make a social statement. Your fashion choice becomes a visible means for protest during the ongoing fight to prevent sexual violence and assault. It is always beneficial to educate yourself and others about the dangers and misconceptions that surround sexual violence. NO ONE deserves to be sexually assaulted because of how they look or what they choose to wear. Everyone deserves safety and respect. Donate today to your local community crisis center. Donations support the work of victim advocates, whose services support and benefit your entire community.
HAVEN serves all people in their community, including those part of the LGBTQ+ community. HAVEN’s confidential crisis support line (1-603-994-7233) is available 24 hours a day and staffed by trained advocates.
Sources:
https://denimday.org/about
https://durfee.org/awardee/patricia-giggans/
https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/
https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/ii-myths-and-realities
