Denim Day
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Wear jeans to stand in solidarity with Survivors, and spread awareness.
What is Denim Day?
Denim Day is an annual awareness campaign dedicated to challenge harmful misconceptions surrounding sexual violence.
The development of Denim Day began in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year-old girl was raped by her driving instructor. Initially, the perpetrator was convicted of indecent exposure in a public place, but after an appeal by the Survivor, he was convicted of all charges and sentenced to jail. However, a few years later, the perpetrator appealed his conviction and the Italian Supreme Court overturned the rape charge, arguing that the victim’s tight jeans implied consent, as she must have helped remove them.
This outrageous ruling sparked an international protest, beginning with women in the Italian Parliament wearing jeans in solidarity. When the news reached Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence in Los Angeles, she was inspired to take action. In 1999, Patti launched Denim Day, encouraging others to wear jeans as a statement against rape culture and victim-blaming.
Today, Denim Day continues as a global movement, reminding the world that clothing is never an excuse for sexual violence.
Ruling on Tight Jeans and Rape Sets Off Anger in Italy
Help Bring Awareness:
We invite you to download and share our flyer with your networks to help raise awareness for Denim Day this year.
Support Survivors this Denim Day!
Join us in the fight against sexual violence by making a direct impact this Denim Day. Your donation helps provide vital support for Survivors and funds Prevention Programs that educate and empower our community.
Choose where you’d like your donation to make an impact:
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Survivor Services – Offering critical resources, advocacy, and healing opportunities for survivors.
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Prevention Program – Raising awareness and equipping the community with knowledge to prevent sexual violence.
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Denim Auction – Bid on four one-of-a-kind, artist-embellished jeans designed with meaningful messages of hope and solidarity. Every dollar raised helps fund our free, lifesaving services.
Every donation brings us closer to a world free from violence and victim-blaming.
