Denim Day

Overview

Denim Day is an international day of awareness of survivors of sexual violence. On a Wednesday in April every year, those recognizing the campaign wear denim in protest of a controversial Italian Supreme Court decision, which ruled that women wearing jeans cannot be raped because denim cannot be forcibly removed.

Background

In 1992, an 18-year-old woman in Italy accused her 45-year-old driving instructor of rape. She claimed that during a lesson, he took her to an isolated spot and sexually assaulted her. He contended that they had consensual sex.

After he was convicted of the lesser charge of indecent exposure in a public place, she appealed and he was convicted on all charges. However, the following year the appeals court later threw out the conviction, and the Italian Supreme Court ruled that women wearing jeans cannot be raped because denim cannot be removed without help, implying consent. The Chief Judge Aldo Rizzo said, "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."

In protest of the ruling, a group of female lawmakers went on a "jeans strike," wearing jeans to Parliment until the decision was changed.^[1] The action motivated California Senate and Assembly to join the protest.

Developments

Peace Over Violence

In 1999, Patricia Giggans, the Executive Director Los Angeles-based non-profit Peace Over Profit founded "Denim Day," a national day of awareness for the ruling.^[2]

Online Presence

Online, people have posted their support about the protest.

On April 24th, 2018, Twitter ^[3] user @philuhmena tweeted, "Wednesday is Denim Day. In 1999 an 18 year old girl was picked up by her 45yr old instructor for her first lesson. An hour later raped & abandoned. The judge failed to convict him b/c she had TIGHT jeans & must have helped take them off implying consent. Wear jeans stand w/ her!" The post (shown below) received more than 1,700 retweets and 2,220 likes 24 hours.

Throughout the day, people on other social media platforms, such as Instagram, publish photographs and messages of support for the movement.

Media Coverage

Several media outlets have covered Denim Day, including The Daily Dot, ^[4] NBC,^[5] Fox^[6] and more.

Search Interest

External References