Today marks the anniversary of a 1992 Italian Supreme Court decision that blamed a rape victim for her own rape based on her clothing decisions. To protest this, people around the world practice Denim Day. 

After the ruling, women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans to show solidarity with the victim. This protest was picked up by international media, inspiring the California Senate and Assembly to do the same on the steps of the capitol. 

The first Denim Day event was held in Los Angeles in April of 1999. It has continued annually since then. 

Arkansas State University began honoring Denim Day as a part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in 2018. A denim pocket quilt was hung in the Reng Student Union two weeks prior. 

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to write their sexual assault experiences anonymously on slips and paper, then place them in one of the quilt’s many pockets. 

A selection of these papers were read out loud at a ceremony at the Student Union at 10:00 a.m. by the Provost and Perdata Bush, A-State Title IX director. 

A-State students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear jeans to show solidarity with sexual assault survivors. 

Categories: News