Denim day: The power of denim

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — It was the 1990s in Italy when a rape conviction was overturned. The Italian Parliament decided the girl’s jeans were so tight she must have helped her attacker take them off. The next day, an outpouring of support came from women who began wearing jeans to work. All of this, to protest the high court. It was from here that “Denim Day” was created.

Brittany Smith with the Title IX office at Angelo State University says that “there are a lot of conversations that can start with wearing a little bit of denim.”

Smith told us that Denim Day is globally recognized on the last Wednesday of the month of April to close out Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This day helps facilitate those tough conversations all while promoting awareness.

“It’s like a global day of action where people wear denim in awareness of the myths surrounding sexual assault as well as to promote awareness and prevention for sexual assault and awareness prevention month,” Smith said.

In the Houston Harte University Center on the ASU campus, students were able to see a variety of booths and displays explaining the importance of this day. Some of the “What Were You Wearing” exhibit was also on display. One other important note Smith added was that support is offered by the Title IX office year-round.

“Title IX compliance is here year-round. We don’t stop for the summer, we’re still here. We have events typically in the fall and spring semester to promote awareness and prevention of not just sexual assault but dating violence, domestic violence, stalking…” Smith said.

Smith says that we can all do our part in participating in days and events like these to show support and ensure the hard conversations never stop.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

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