Since 1999, Peace Over Violence has held its Denim Day campaign on a Wednesday in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Intentionally asking people to take a stand against rape culture and support survivors by wearing jeans on purpose with a purpose.
The Denim Day story begins in Italy in 1992, when an 18 year old girl is raped by her 45 year old driving instructor. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, partially removed her jeans and raped her.
She reports the rape and the perpetrator is arrested and convicted. Years later, while serving his sentence, he appealed the conviction claiming that they had consensual sex. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction and the perpetrator was released. The argument was that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, thereby implying consent.
This is where the “jeans alibi” was born.
Enraged, women in the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. Soon after, inspired California Senate and Assembly women did the same. In Los Angeles, Patti Giggans saw this and the rest is 20 years of history in the making…
Excerpted from The Denim Day Story, available at denimdayinfo.org.
