Denim Day block party to promote awareness, prevention of sexual violence, April 29

The Office of Health Promotion, Prevention and Advocacy Services will host a Denim Day block party on Wednesday, April 29, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Central Mall, near St. Joan of Arc Chapel.

The campus community is encouraged to wear denim in support of sexual violence awareness and prevention efforts. The event will feature music, educational resources and food trucks, as well as information about on- and off-campus support services.

Denim Day is held every year on the last Wednesday of April to support survivors of sexual assault and raise awareness about victim blaming. It began in 1999 after a court in Italy overturned the rape conviction of a man, claiming the 18-year-old victim must have helped remove her tight jeans, so the act was "consensual." This unfair ruling caused outrage, and women in Italy - and later around the world - wore jeans to protest.

Inspired by this act, American activist Patricia Giggans started Denim Day to speak out against harmful myths and attitudes about sexual assault. By wearing denim, we stand with survivors and call for justice and change.