April 29, 2020 marks the 21st celebration of Denim Day in the US. Denim Day is the annual sexual assault awareness event that works to start conversations about the destructive attitudes surrounding sexual assault, such as victim blaming.
The Denim Day campaign began in 1999 as part of an international protest of an Italian Supreme Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. The Italian Supreme Court dismissed charges against a 45-year old rape suspect because his 18-year-old victim was wearing jeans at the time of the attack. The Head Judge argued, "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 judgment sparked a worldwide outcry from those who understand coercion, threats and violence go along with the act of rape. Each year we host Denim Day to honor this survivor and all survivors who have experienced victim blaming. Denim Day is a symbol of protest against misconceptions that surround sexual assault.
Participating in Denim Day provides a wonderful opportunity for the UCSF community to show solidarity with survivors of abuse around the country and to encourage open discussion about how we can work in our personal and professional lives to reduce violence in our communities.
How to Participate
- Wear denim on Denim Day, Wednesday, April 29, 2020
- Update: The Denim Day button giveway has been cancelled.
Following UCSF's Interim Policy on Large Events and Gatherings enacted to limit the community transmission of COVID-19, the button giveway has been cancelled. We still encourage people to wear denim and tweet or tag us. - Talk about the court case and other harmful myths that exist about sexual assault.
- Take a selfie and share on social media #UCSFDenimDay
UCSF Buchanan Dental Center team members
participate in Denim Day 2019
We salute all of you willing to join us in cultivating a safer community for all people. If you have questions, contact CARE at [email protected]
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