Denim Day LA [2011]

Tweet

Share

Slip on some jeans and make a statement!

In 1998, an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore jeans. The Italian Supreme Court dismissed charges against a 45-year old rape suspect because his 18-year-old victim was wearing jeans at the time of the attack. The Court stated in its decision that "It is common knowledge...that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them....and it is impossible if the victim is struggling with all her might." The judgment sparked a worldwide outcry from those who understand coercion, threats and violence go along with the act of rape.  Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched into action and protested by wearing jeans to the steps of the Supreme Court. Wearing jeans became an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.  Denim Day was launched in the USA in 1999 in California as a prevention education campaign. Since then, states across the country have joined in this effort.

• Research consistently shows that rape is about the need to act out power and control, not what a person wears. In fact, women and girls have been raped while wearing everything from pajamas to jeans to business suits.

• Every 2 and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.

• 82.8% of rapes committed by an intimate are not reported to the police.

• 35% of college men who voluntarily participated in psychological research conducted at several universities indicated they might commit a rape if they knew they could get away with it.

• 20% to 25% of college women in the United States experience attempted or completed rape during their college career.

• About 44% of rape victims are under age 18, and 80% are under age 30.

• Around the world, at least 1 in every 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is a member of her own family.

• In 2005-2006, there were an average annual 232,010 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.

• About 44% of rape victims are under age 18, and 80% are under age 30.

• The heath care costs for intimate partner rape, domestic abuse and stalking exceed $5.8 billion each year, nearly $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health care services.

• About 75% of rape victims are assaulted by someone they know . . . intimates or acquaintances. This could include dates, family members, boyfriends, and husbands.

• Coercing or forcing someone to have sex against their will is sexual violence. Knowing, dating, being married or related to, is not a license to rape.

For more information and to find out how you can support and participate, see the Denim Day LA site:  http://denimdayinla.org/

See also Peace Over Violence: http://www.peaceoverviolence.org/

With questions on donations, please contact Heather Masterton at heather@peaceoverviolence.org

Tweet

Share