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Denim Day is the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign worldwide.

Posted on 04/24/2019
Denim Day

Twenty years ago, Los Angeles was the first city in the world to recognize Denim Day as
the focal point of Sexual Violence Awareness Month in April. Denim Day began in 1999 as
an act of protest against an Italian Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a rape conviction -
because the victim’s jeans were allegedly so tight, Justices argued the victim must have
consented and helped her rapist remove them. Recognizing this, female members of the
Italian Parliament wore jeans in response to the ruling and inspired a national campaign
that quickly became a global rallying cry for survivors and allies.


As our country continues to grapple with the abuses of power we see across industries, we
are reminded on this 20th Anniversary of Denim Day that Los Angeles has long recognized
those who suffer in silence. We continue to stand in support of victims and make it clear
that violence, abuse, and harassment have no place in Los Angeles, or any American city.
Denim Day is an opportunity for us all to break the silence and show our community that
we pledge to support survivors, educate ourselves and others, and wear jeans for a
purpose.

Denim Day Los Angeles