MAKE A SOCIAL STATEMENT WITH YOUR FASHION STATEMENT.
Participate in Denim Day by decorating your denim to show your support for survivors of sexual assault and to promote awareness. Empower Tehama will be hosting a denim painting event on April 26, 2023 in Red Bluff (Rotary Cone & Kimball Plaza) and Corning (Corning Health District) from 5PM - 6:30PM!
What is Denim Day?
Denim Day is a campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Since then, what started as a local campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into a movement.
Why is this relevant today?
Before Governor Newsom passed bill AB-939 on October 5, 2021, the manner in which a victim was dressed during a sexual assault could be used as evidence proving consent in court (Section 1103 of the Evidence Code). Although this amendment marks forward progress, its recency shows that victims of sexual assault are still fighting for proper representation and awareness today.
