UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Amidst social distancing and the remote learning environment due to COVID-19, Penn State’s Gender Equity Center continues to promote awareness and provide opportunities for engagement to support survivors and prevent violence. One such way is through participation in Denim Day, which is taking place on Wednesday, April 29.
This annual event was started in April 1999 by Peace Over Violence in response to a 1998 ruling by the Italian Supreme Court and the activism associated with it. According to its website, the Denim Day campaign was established in 1999 after the Italian Supreme Court ruled that a rape conviction be overturned, it claimed, because the victim’s jeans were too tight when the assault took place, thereby implying her consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.
To participate in Denim Day, the Gender Equity Center is asking community members to take a picture of themselves dressed in denim on April 29. Then, they can share the picture on social media tagging @pennstategeneq, using the hashtag #DenimDay2020, and expressing why they support survivors. Pictures also can be emailed to Becca Geiger at rxg5421@psu.edu to be shared on the Gender Equity social media platforms.
“By wearing jeans, you can do a small act to show your support for survivors of sexual violence while protesting violence and the rape myth mentality behind this case and countless instances of victim blaming experienced by survivors on a regular basis,” said Becca Geiger, assistant director of the Gender Equity Center, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs. Partnering with the Gender Equity Center on this initiative are the Office of Veteran Programs, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Penn State Panhellenic Council, and the Jana Marie Foundation.
Follow the Gender Equity Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using @PennStateGenEq to stay up to date or visit studentaffairs.psu.edu/genderequity.