Denim Day 2025: A Symbol of Solidarity in the Fight Against Sexual Violence
Written by EDYOU FM Staff on April 30, 2025
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has been hosting various events throughout the month to educate members of the public and empower the vulnerable. Today, April 30, is Denim Day, a day to demonstrate solidarity with survivors of sexual violence and challenge misconceptions about consent by wearing denim jeans.
The Jeans Alibi
Denim Day has its origins in a real-life Italian court case where the victim’s story was discredited because she was wearing jeans. In 1992, an 18-year-old woman was raped by her driving instructor. The instructor appealed the rape conviction, claiming consensual sex and in 1998, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction. The justices argued that the victim must have helped her assailant remove her tight jeans, thereby suggesting that she had given consent.
This decision, dubbed the jeans alibi, sparked public outrage and led the Italian women in Parliament to protest the ruling by wearing jeans. The story captured international attention, and in
1999, Los Angeles-based nonprofit Peace Over Violence (POV) hosted the first official Denim Day. Since then, Denim Day has served as a striking reminder that what a victim wears is never an invitation or justification for sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Explained
In an interview with EdYouFM, Victims Advocate Coordinator Cardel Hunte explained that Sexual Assault is “any unwanted or unwelcomed sexual behaviour… It includes a wide range of behaviours…that go against their consent or their ability to say yes or no. Once it’s coerced, once it’s forced, once it’s done in a manipulative way, it can fall under sexual assault.” Hunte further explained that sexual assault can take many forms. These include but are not limited to:
Rape: Any non-consensual penetration of any private area by any other object or body part
Sexual Harassment: Any unwelcomed physical or verbal advances, catcalling, gestures
Sexual Extortion: Where a person is forced to perform sexual acts against their will and in a way that benefits the perpetrator monetarily.
Child Sexual Abuse: sexual sexual activity with a child, exposing children to pornographic content, exploitation of a child
Consent is key
The key determinant of a Sexual Assault is Consent. Consent, Hunte explained, is the ability to say yes or no to any sexual advances or participating in any sexual act. He emphasised that consent can be revoked. “So, if it’s a case whereby, let’s say, sexual activity was started, but one party, they no longer desire to continue in that sexual action, they could say no. They could say things like, you know, I’m not ready as yet or I don’t want this. All of those indicators actually lead to no.” He also pointed out that someone who is under the influence of alcohol or any substance that impairs their judgement cannot give consent. Furthermore, a person under the age of 16 cannot, by law, consent to any sexual activity. Regarding Marital Rape, the Victims Advocate coordinator stated, “Marital rape is a thing. You can be legally involved or married to someone and still not give consent in any particular occasion to sexual activity.”
How to Get Help
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has provided the 914 toll-free emergency hotline to be used in the event of any form of abuse including sexual violence. “The first step would be definitely reaching out to report that the abuse has happened or is happening in that instance. So 914, I wouldn’t say it’s a substitution to 911 the [Police] hotline that we know for help, but it’s an alternative. Through 914, you can get to 911 and all the other services the Ministry has to offer which may be integral to you receiving support,” Hunte stated. Upon calling the hotline (which covers the entire country), you will be connected to a case worker who will provide immediate support. Depending on the situation, the support may entail liaising with the police station, or police outpost in that specific area, medical professionals, or survivors advocates (i.e. persons who are trained in helping and providing interventions to survivors of sexual assault).
Today, as we observe Denim Day and the close of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, remember that awareness and action must coincide. Believing survivors, educating ourselves and others, and reporting perpetrators are steps we can all take to end sexual violence.
