Content note: This article references sexual assault
One day every year in April, denim is worn, not just as a casual fashion choice — but as a choice to stand and support victims of sexual violence. This fashion statement becomes a social statement as it portrays the powerful reminder that what people wear is never an invitation.
In 1999, Peace Over Violence, a Los Angeles based organization, developed a campaign called Denim Day in response to a 1998 Italian Supreme Court ruling, becoming the longest-running sexual assault campaign in history.
This year, Denim Day fell on April 29. University of Maryland’s CARE to Stop Violence set up tables, including an information desk, trivia, writing messages to survivors on pairs of denim and decorating tote bags to raise awareness about Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Denim Day and overall combatting of victim blaming.
“Denim Day is really important because it brings awareness to something that really holds survivors back from reaching out and getting help,” said Grace Fansler Boudreau, Coordinator for Outreach and Assessment at CARE.
By hosting events and bringing awareness to sexual assault, rape myths and victim blaming, CARE hopes to show survivors that they are not alone and there are resources to help them through the healing process.
The history of Denim Day is traced back to a controversial case in Italy 1992. An 18-year-old girl was raped by her 45-year-old driving instructor who was taking her to her first driving lesson. The perpetrator was arrested and sentenced to jail. In 1998, the perpetrator appealed the conviction claiming the assault was consensual because she was wearing tight jeans and she had to help remove them. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction and released the perpetrator.
This verdict enraged women in the Italian parliament, who launched a protest by wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. This protest was eventually picked up by international media and inspired the Denim Day campaign in L.A.
Every 68 seconds, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. By wearing denim on Denim Day, anyone can show support for survivors and victims of assault.
Support of victims and survivors does not end with Denim Day.
“Just by showing your support year round by not victim blaming, by not perpetrating rape myths, by responding in an appropriate and warm way if someone were to disclose violence, by helping someone connect to the CARE office or connect to a resource, all of those are ways people can keep the message of denim day going all year long,” Fansler Boudreau said.
Denim Day is more than just a symbol — it’s a call to action. As communities gather to show support for survivors and victims, it becomes a reminder that action is not always found in grand gestures, but sometimes it can be found in something as simple as a pair of jeans.
“I don’t want anyone to think they can’t make a difference, because they can,” Fansler Bourdeau said.