Denim Day

This week I am using our blog to support another awesome organization in South Carolina – Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands.  STSM supports survivors in recovery from the trauma associated with sexual assault and abuse and educates the community to identify and prevent sexual violence.

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April) the organization has many events planned, but one I want to draw your attention to is Denim Day.  On April 25, STSM is asking anyone and everyone to wear jeans to raise awareness and educate the public about rape and sexual assault.

Why jeans?  Glad you asked – this is an important part of the awareness.  Here is the answer straight from STSMs website.

In Italy in 1993, an 18 year old girl was forcefully raped by her 45 year old driving instructor.  The assailant was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to jail. He appealed the sentence, and the case made its way to the Italian Supreme Court. The Supreme Court released the perpetrator and dismissed all charges. The reasoning behind this was “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex.” The women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in protest, and the California Senate and Assembly did the same. Thus, Denim Day was born.

The SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy will be participating in Denim Day and we hope you will join us!

By: Cayci Banks, Director of Communications, SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy