Denim Day celebrated its 20th year last month. The Women’s and Children’s Alliance started a local Denim Day campaign in 2015.
Denim Day is an international awareness campaign focused on victim blaming and other stigmas facing survivors of sexual assault. The campaign began after a rapist’s conviction was overturned because the victim was wearing tight jeans. This case happened in the 1990s. Unfortunately, just last November, an Irish rape case went viral after a lawyer linked the victim’s choice in underwear with her consent. There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape.
This year, the WCA received over 60 requests for Denim Day kits. Organizations from the Bronx to Sacramento with many in between requested Denim Day materials from the WCA.
The WCA secured a city-wide proclamation that recognized Denim Day across the city of trees. Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Kappa Lambda and students in a COMM Senior Seminar tabled on the Boise State quad to raise awareness about Denim Day. WCA staff, Boise PD and the Idaho National Guard came together to raise awareness about stigmas surrounding sexual assault at Gowen Field.
We are grateful to be surrounded by engaged and compassionate community members who contributed their time and energy to Denim Day this year. We appreciate it so much!