Content Warning: “Denim Day: Its Origins & significance” discusses topics related to sexual assault, including descriptions/experiences that may be triggering for some readers.
Denim is a multipurpose cotton twill fabric available in various colors, including black, light blue, dark blue, white and gray. Although denim is commonly associated with jeans, it has also been used to make jackets, overalls and dresses. However, Denim Day is not a celebration of this material’s versatility. Instead, it carries a much deeper and darker significance that many of the U.S. may need to be made aware of, as it is unfortunately not recognized nationally.
Denim Day is observed on the last Wednesday in April, coinciding with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Denim Day aims to raise awareness about all forms of sexual violence. Its origins trace back to a 1992 court case that took place in Rome, Italy, in which an 18-year-old girl was raped by a 45-year-old driving instructor who was supposed to take her on her first-ever driving lesson. Instead of doing so, he took her to an isolated area, forced her to get out of the car and raped her.
Afterward, he threatened to kill her if she revealed to anyone what he had done. She reported the sexual assault to the authorities, resulting in his arrest and prosecution. He was subsequently convicted on charges of rape and imprisoned. In 1999, the perpetrator appealed the conviction, claiming that the interaction between him and the young woman was consensual. The Italian Supreme Court later reviewed the case, overturning d the sentence in favor of the perpetrator, leading to his release.
Ashleigh Andersen, Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education Specialist at the Office of Sexual and Interpersonal Wellness (OSIW) at the University, commented on the judge’s decision stating, “The claim was that the victim was wearing skinny jeans, there was no way she could have been assaulted since she would have had to assist in removing her jeans. As a result, Denim Day was created to show support for survivors and serve as a powerful reminder of the universal need for respect and safety as fundamental aspects of our humanity.” This court ruling became known as the “jeans alibi,” suggesting that a person’s clothing was an indicator of consent, highlighting a troubling example of victim blaming.
The ruling and final verdict were shocking and outraged many, prompting the women of the Italian parliament to protest by wearing jeans to work. They encouraged others to do the same and to gather on the steps of the Supreme Court. The protest quickly garnered international attention, with people in California wearing jeans and organizing in front of the Capitol building in Sacramento. This movement caught the eye of Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, the Executive Director of Peace Over Violence, who initiated a campaign to promote further activism on the issue in the local area. The first official Denim Day took place in April of 1999 and has since spread to different states, evolving into a nationwide movement that is still thriving 25 years later.
This movement encouraged individuals to wear jeans not only as a fashion statement but to show solidarity with victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault. In the second week of April, the OSIW held an event where students could decorate denim patches and answer trivia questions about healthy communication and consensual, safe sex practices. Jackie Hunt, a peer educator at OSIW who helped organize the event, shared her thoughts on Denim Day: “I think Denim Day is incredibly important for spreading awareness about sexual violence. I’m so glad that we had this event with OSIW.” She continued, “We educated people who did not previously know what Denim Day was, which is awesome! Hopefully, in the future, we will see an elimination of sexual violence through movements like Denim Day.” Ian Moscato, another peer educator, describes his experience: “Being part of OSIW has been such an amazing experience. Denim Day was such an educational experience. I could tell the people who came to make patches really felt the importance of the day and were excited to make a patch and participate.” Moscato finishes, “It was evident people were not there for the free stuff, but because they wanted to learn about the origins of Denim Day and the significance of the movements, especially in the present day.”
Sexual violence affects everyone. According to RAINN, the nations leading sexual assault resource network, one in every six US women and one in every 33 US men have been the victim of an attempted or completed rape. Denim Day should be more widely recognized because it empowers individuals who have experienced and faced such injustices. By wearing jeans or any form of denim, participants understand that they are seen and that others take their experiences seriously.
