The Women’s Center hosted Denim Day, a tradition founded 18 years ago by the nonprofit organization Peace Over Violence, on Wednesday in Stafford Commons. Denim Day aims to bring awareness to sexual assault and the importance of consent. During this international event, people are encouraged to wear jeans to show support and stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault and violence.
Kat Kirby, a sophomore studying women’s and gender studies and an intern for the Women’s Center, was a volunteer at the event. Kirby discussed the importance of student awareness and involvement in the conversation around sexual assault.
“We have a lot of faculty and staff support, but we really want to get students involved, too, so we try to promote as much as possible with organizations,” Kirby said. “We just really want to drive home the message that there’s no excuse for sexual assault or rape.”
Denim Day was founded as a reaction to a 1998 Italian Supreme Court ruling to overturn a rape conviction, because of what an 18-year-old woman was wearing. The judge ruled that because the survivor’s jeans were said to be very tight, her rapist could not have removed them alone, thereby implying consent. The day after the conviction was overturned, outraged female members of the Italian Parliament went to work in jeans as a show of solidarity with the survivor. According to the official Denim Day website, the day was founded so that others would be encouraged to protest sexual assault.
“Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault,” the website reads.
The day is meant to be observed on a specific Wednesday in April, which is Sexual Assault and Violence Awareness Month. A table was set up by the Women’s Center on Stafford Commons where students were educated on the Italian Supreme Court case and the importance of defining consent. Students were given the opportunity to sign a pledge saying they will recognize sexual violence is everyone’s issue and “join the conversation” about sexual assault. Buttons and information cards were given out to educate students about sexual assault and violence.
Kirby also expressed why she believes NC State students should be educated about consent.
“I didn’t know until I got to college what exactly consent was,” Kirby said. “Having a clear understanding of consent helps us have healthy relationships across all spectrums — whether romantic or not. This is a real issue on this campus and it’s not something we should turn the other cheek and look away from.”
Jocelyn Domabyl, a junior studying business administration, participated in the event and echoed Kirby’s sentiments.
“I think events like these are really important because [they] bring to light major issues that may have gone unnoticed,” Domabyl said. “I didn’t know Denim Day was such a large part of the movement to raise awareness about sexual assault and consent until I stopped by the booth today.”
Domabyl went on to discuss why she feels conversations about consent are necessary to have on campus.
“Sometimes it’s hard to understand consent when you’re in a relationship because sometimes in a relationship the lines of consent are blurred, and events that are dedicated to educating people about consent can make a huge impact,” Domabyl said. “Increasing understanding about what exactly clear consent is could help so many people understand why they feel uncomfortable in a situation and help them feel like it’s okay to walk away or seek help.”
Kirby reminded students who expressed they were not wearing denim that they can join the conversation at any time.
“You don’t have to wear denim to support a cause,” Kirby said.
For more information about sexual assault or to seek counseling or help, visit the Women’s Center or the Counseling Center. For more information about Sexual Assault and Violence Awareness Month, visit the NC State Women’s Center website.
Disclaimer: Kat Kirby is currently a contributor with Technician.
