Wear denim in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month’s Denim Day

Spc. Kelly Acevedo

Public Affairs Specialist

4-11-2022

FORT POLK, La — Over the last decade, new perspectives have changed society’s views on what’s acceptable or not. Through education and prevention, the spread of awareness on sensitive topics has transformed the lives of many. April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, which means everyone is encouraged to wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month, April 27. This marks the 24th annual celebration of “Denim Day”.
Organized by “Peace Over Violence,” the movement combats victim blaming and educates others about sexual violence. The goal of the event is to start conversations about the destructive attitudes surrounding sexual assault. Through rape prevention education, the organization encourages community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion. “Wearing jeans on this anniversary has become an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual violence,” according to their website (Caution-https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/ < Caution-https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/ > ).
So what does wearing denim have to do with sexual assault? Although it may seem unrelated, denim is what sparked the start of the movement.
In 1998 an Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction as a result of tight jeans worn by the victim.
The case began in 1992, when an 18-year-old girl reported she was raped by her 45-year year old driving instructor. The perpetrator was arrested and prosecuted, but had the sentence appealed. The instructor argued that the incident was consensual. The case eventually landed in an Italian high court where the conviction was overturned, leading to the release of the alleged assaulter. The court argued that since the survivor wore tight jeans during the assault, they could only come off with her help to remove them. The court ruled that she must have helped the perpetrator remove them, no longer ruling the incident as rape but consensual sex. This became known throughout Italy as the “jeans alibi” verdict.
The court’s decision enraged women in Italy, which motivated protests of women wearing jeans to the Italian parliament, an unacceptable form of attire.
Awareness of the case was spread, eventually making its way from Italy to Los Angeles. Woman around the world wore denim in support of the protest, thus beginning “Denim Day”.
Although changes made throughout the years have encouraged victims to come forward, there is still an issue with victim blaming against survivors.  
In 2020, Soldier Vanessa Guillen was murdered by a higher-ranking Soldier in her unit who sexually abused her. Guillen had informed her mother about the incidents and made two reports within her unit of being sexually harassed before disappearing. After about two months of searching, Guillen’s body was found.
Following the investigation, her family demanded reform. A total of 21 of Guillen’s leaders were fired or suspended after an investigation dictating how sexual assault and harassment are handled in the unit.
One way the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program encourages units to spread awareness is through education. Discussions regarding SHARP, although at times uncomfortable, strengthen the climate in units. It is important for Soldiers to be aware of the severity that is sexual violence. Leaders who advocate the importance of the SHARP program, build a safe environment for Soldiers.
The “I am Vanessa Guillen Act” took effect Jan. 1, 2020, allowing survivors to report outside the military and offers protection against retaliation.
Many survivors have reported feeling guilt, being ostracized and even blamed for what happened to them. Today, reporting sexual assault related incidents in the Army has changed because of Guillen. The stigma behind victim blaming discourages survivors to come forward, but prevention and intervention in the military will help create a secure environment to encourage survivors to come forward.
Denim Day is meant to spread awareness about sexual violence. Whether you are a survivor, or have been a support system for someone, remember that Denim Day represents more than just a fashion statement. It is a representation that grassroots can transform into something big enough to change lives.
If you or anyone you know have been a victim of sexual assault, call the SHARP 24-hour emergency helpline at (831) 682-8746 or visit safehelpline.org < Caution-http://safehelpline.org > .