Denim Day

Denim Day History

Denim Day seeks to protest sexual violence. This day aims to educate others about forms of sexual violence. It encourages everyone to wear and buy jeans as a sign of solidarity for survivors and victims. Denim Day was started in response to a sexual assault case in Italy. In 1992, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a conviction of rape with the reasoning being that because the jeans the victim was wearing were too tight, she must have consented. They assumed that the criminal would not be able to remove the woman’s jeans without her help. This sparked an outrage. Many protested the verdict by wearing jeans in solidarity. The verdict would later become known as the jeans alibi.

Denim Day was established in 1999 by the executive director of Peace Over Violence, Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans. It is observed annually on the last Wednesday of April.

Facts about Denim Day

• According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 3 (or 35%) of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives.
• According to RAINN, eight out of ten cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator.
• According to denimdayinfo.org, in her lifetime, 1 in 6 women in the US will become a victim of an attempted or completed rape.
• 7 out of 10 rapes in the US are committed by someone who knew the victim.
• According to Rainn, in 2022, only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to the police in the US.

In the News and Trending in the US for Denim Day

Top things to do in the US for Denim Day

• Explore resources and services if you or someone you know needs help.
• Participate in upcoming events. Peace Over Violence hosts several events throughout the year focusing on peace efforts.
• Help raise funds and awareness for survivors. Dollars for Denim is a fundraising campaign that supports local rape centers.