Explainer: How Denim Day spreads awareness
by Alex Wakai
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Denim Day is held on the last Wednesday of April each year. What began as a local initiative to raise concerns of victim-blaming and harmful stereotypes of sexual harassment have since developed into a movement.
To commemorate Denim Day, Residence Director Maia Paterno, and Hannah Monbleau, Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, have set up a table in the Campus Center on April 28th.
(Photo: FPU Instagram)
The story of Denim Day began in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year-old girl was assaulted by a 45-year-old driving teacher while on her way to her first driving lesson. He drove her to an obscure road, pulled her out of the car, stripped off her jeans, and raped her.
Monbleau said in an email interview, “It’s so important that students are educated on the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses as well as on what resources there are for them on and off-campus.” She also said, “To show the survivors that are a part of our community that they have allies on this campus who are here for them and will advocate for them.”
Sophomore Nathan McCrohan said, “I think Denim Day is a great way to keep on reminding and educating the community about sexual assault and why it’s such an issue that needs to be aware of.”
Paterno said in an email interview, “Denim Day attempts to change the overall global culture of sexual assault and I would implore students to share the information from Denim Day with their peers – it starts with us and our own communities.”
I have never been really informed about sexual assault until my school gave me courses. I didn’t realize until then how important it is to know what sexual assault is and how to help to prevent it. I’m happy to read that other schools also found this important and bring it to the students attention. The more people know, the more we prevent it from happening. Denim day is a great way to inform students and get them involved!