Today, MCAO joins millions of people across the world supporting survivors and raising awareness of sexual violence. Denim Day is a campaign during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April that raises awareness of victim blaming and destructive misconceptions about sexual violence. The campaign was created in 1999, after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction arguing that because the victim had been wearing tight jeans she had to have helped the perpetrator remove them, therefore implying consent. After the decision, women in the Italian Parliament protested and showed solidarity with the victim by wearing jeans to work. This case highlights one of many harmful beliefs that women encourage sexual violence because of the way they dress.
Since then many others have worn jeans with a purpose and worked to raise awareness, expose, and dispel harmful beliefs and misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. There is never an excuse or justification for harassment, abuse, assault, or rape. No one deserves sexual violence or to be held accountable for the violent actions perpetrated against them. Sexual assault can occur to anyone, at anytime and the most important way we can support victims is by believing them and educating ourselves and others about these misconceptions.
Help raise awareness and support victims of sexual violence by:
- Listening and believing anyone that tells you they’ve been assaulted
- Learning about what it means to get and give consent
- Challenging statements and misconceptions that blame victims or promote rape culture
- Taking action and intervening f you see someone taking advantage of another who is not capable of giving consent
- Exposing behavior that promotes sexual violence, harassment or abuse
To learn more and wear jeans with a purpose, visit DenimDayInfo.org
