Denim Day 2017

The Office commemorated Denim Day this year in the Central District. For the past 18 years, the Denim Day campaign has been one of the national hallmarks of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Each April, our office along with community members, businesses, students and government officials makes a social statement by wearing jeans as a visible sign of support for the victims of sexual violence.

Historically, a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court originally triggered the campaign where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. Enraged by the verdict, within a matter of hours the women in the Italian Parliament launched into immediate action and protested by wearing jeans to work. This call to action motivated and emboldened the California Senate and Assembly and Denim Day was born.

Over the years, Denim Day has helped raise awareness about the misconceptions surrounding sexual assault, as well as methods for preventing violence and resources available to victims. Last year, well over a million people across the United States participated in Denim Day. This year the USAO for the Central District did its part.