“April is sexual assault awareness month, and Denim Day is an international campaign to raise awareness and support survivors of sexual assault,” stated Lassen Family Services Executive Director Melissa Downing. “Each year we ask community members, elected officials, businesses, and students to take a stand by wearing denim as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.”
Why denim? In Italy in the 1990’s, a young woman was raped by her driving instructor. The assailant was convicted and sentenced to jail, but on appeal the Italian Supreme Court dismissed all charges on the grounds that “because the victim wore very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them… and by removing the jeans… it was no longer rape but consensual sex.”
Women of the Italian Legislature protested the decision by wearing jeans to work. As news of the decision spread, so did the protest. In April 1999, a social service agency in Los Angeles established the first Denim Day in the United States.
How you can help take a stand
“This year, please join Lassen Family Services as we take a stand against sexual violence and wear denim on April 29th. Show off your denim at Lassen Family Services’ business offices at 1306 Riverside Drive in Susanville between 8:00 and 3:00p.m. and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize or take a picture of your staff in denim and e-mail it to [email protected] to share your partnership in bringing awareness to this important issue,” said Downing.
For additional information about Denim Day or ways to help promote awareness about sexual assault, please contact Ashley Fisher at 530-257-5459.
