I believe in the importance of having a professional appearance appropriate to one’s workplace. But on Thursday, I will leave my suit and heels in the closet and instead wear a pair of jeans to an important event at Interact of Wake County.
Like many agencies that support women and families, here in America and across the globe, Interact will present a special evening dedicated to Denim Day. The event is part of the center’s observance of April as Sexual Assault and Awareness Month.
Denim Day grew from a 1992 incident in Italy, in which an 18 year old was raped on the side of the road by her driving instructor. As stated on Interact’s website, she pressed charges and won her case. The instructor appealed, and in 1999 the Italian High Court overturned the conviction. A member of the High Court declared that since the victim wore very tight jeans, the instructor could not have removed them himself, therefore the victim must have willingly participated.
Women of the Italian legislature protested the decision by wearing jeans. As news of the decision spread, so did the protest. In April 1999, the State of California established the first Denim Day in the United States.
If approved by your workplace, please wear denim on Thursday in support of the victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape. If you cannot do so at work, join us from a candlelight vigil from 6-7:30 p.m. at Interact, 1012 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, or seek an event to support in your community.