Denim Day has been internationally celebrated since 1999 in protest of an Italian High Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. The justices reasoned that since the victim wore very tight jeans, the man who was accused of raping her could not have removed her jeans by himself, so the victim must have willingly participated. Enraged by the verdict, women of the Italian Legislature protested the decision by wearing jeans. As news of the decision spread, so did the protest.
Blue jeans are worn by millions of Americans every day, but students, faculty and staff at the University of Missouri have been asked to wear denim on Thursday, April 25th for a special reason – to step forward and take a stand against rape and sexual violence.
The RSVP (Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention) Center, in partnership with the Craft Studio and True North, will sponsor a Denim Day rape and sexual assault awareness event on campus from 10:00am-2:00pm on Thursday, April 25th in front of the MU Student Center.
Denim Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness and prevent sexual assault against women. If you would like to participate in Denim Day, wear your denim and/or the MU student-designed Denim Day logo pins on Thursday, April 25th. Sheryl Cullina will be working with the RSVP Center to obtain Denim Day pins for any Library staff who want them. If you are interested in getting a pin, please let Sheryl know by Monday, April 15. Pins will also be available at the Denim Day table the day of the event.
For more information about Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, contact the RSVP Center by phone at (573) 882-6638, by e-mail at RSVP@missouri.edu or visit the website: http://RSVP.missouri.edu