HFC observes Denim Day to support sexual assault survivors

We encourage the HFC community to wear jeans on the 24th annual Denim Day, which will be observed across the nation Wednesday, April 26, in support of sexual assault survivors during National Crime Victims Rights Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

HFC employees can pick up stickers, effective Monday, April 17. We encourage you to wear jeans or any clothing made of denim on April 26. You can pick the stickers up from any of the following team members:

• HFC Title IX Coordinator Munira Kassim in Rm. N-227 in the Office of Campus Safety (Bldg. N on the main campus).
• HFC Student Deputy Title IX Coordinator Glenn Richards in Rm. N-223 in the Office of Campus Safety (Bldg. N on the main campus).
• HFC Employee Deputy Title IX Coordinator Mark Tade in the Human Resources Office, located on the third floor of the Welcome Center (Bldg. WC) on the main campus.

Denim Day’s origins

In Italy in 1992, a 45-year-old driving instructor sexually assaulted his student, an 18-year-old female, during her first driving lesson. Although this man was subsequently convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to prison, he appealed the conviction several years later, stating everything was consensual.

The Italian Supreme Court overturned his conviction, and he was released. The Court’s argument was that, because the female was wearing tight jeans, she would have had to help the rapist remove the jeans for sexual activity, because he could not have removed the jeans without the woman's consent. This has since become known as “the jeans alibi.”

Enraged by the verdict, women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest by wearing jeans on the steps of the Italian Supreme Court. This protest made international news, which inspired members of the California State Senate and the California State Assembly to do the same on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento.

International symbol of protest

As a result, Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, a victims rights advocate and executive director of what is now called Peace Over Violence, established Denim Day in Los Angeles in 1999. This event has since become international and is held annually. Wearing jeans on this day has become a symbol of protest against attitudes that sexual assault is the victim's fault, and to bring about justice to support survivors.

A bit of good news: In 2008 the Italian Supreme Court overturned its findings, and there is no longer a "denim" defense or a “jeans alibi” for sexual assault.

For questions or more information about Denim Day, contact Richards at grrichards2@hfcc.edu.