Denim Day is an international day of support for sexual assault survivors. Denim Day began in Italy when a rapist’s conviction was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court because the victim was wearing very tight jeans. The Court argued they were so tight she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not rape but consensual sex. This became known throughout Italy as the “jeans alibi.” Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court.
Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence, thought everyone should be wearing jeans to protest all of the myths about why women and girls are raped. The first Denim Day in Los Angeles event was held in April of 1999, and has continued annually since. Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
On April 28, 2021, Vernis & Bowling employees join millions of people across the world who will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence.
It’s never too late to heal. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, you are not alone.