- Denim Day
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Denim Day is a campaign to raise awareness and educate the public about rape and sexual assault. This movement arose from the outrage that followed an Italian Supreme Court decision in 1998 to overturn a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. It was argued that she must have necessarily have had to help her attacker remove her jeans, thus making the act consensual. The Italian Supreme Court stated in its decision “it is a fact of common experience that it is nearly impossible to slip off tight jeans even partly without the active collaboration of the person who is wearing them.”[1]
This ruling sparked widespread protest. The day after the decision, women in the Italian legislature protested by wearing jeans and holding placards that read “Jeans: An Alibi for Rape.” Wearing jeans has become an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. As of 2011 at least 20 U.S. states officially recognize Denim Day.
Sources
- Maher, Sean. "Denim Day brings big push for sexual assault awareness", InsideBayArea.com. 23 Apr. 2009. Bay Area News Group. 26 Apr. 2009
- Denim Day Attempts Prevention and Awareness, Valley Star - Apr 29, 2009
- SAFE in Hunterdon's Denim Day, New Jersey Monthly - Apr 26, 2009.
References
- ^ Faedi, Benedetta (2009). "Rape, Blue Jeans, and Judicial Developments in Italy". Columbia Journal of European Law. http://www.cjel.net/online/16_1-faedi/. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
External links
Categories:- Awareness days
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