Denim Day is an annual awareness day and international movement to show support for survivors of sexual assault and sexual violence.
Denim Day at Emory?
Denim Day is an initiative of Emory's Office of Respect that seeks to support survivors and raise funds for the office. The Office of Respect serves as the central hub for sexual and interpersonal violence prevention programs, as well as efforts to create a more survivor-supportive campus community.
On Denim Day, members of the Emory community are invited to participate by wearing jeans (or any denim clothing) with a purpose: visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
History of Denim Day
An Italian Parliament in 1999 overturned a 1992 rape conviction based on the victim’s clothing. According to the decision, the woman was wearing tight jeans and therefore must have given consent. This decision led to protests in Italy where women wore jeans showing support for the victim.
Denim Day FAQs
Peace Over Violence developed and organized the country’s first Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it in 1999. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. In this rape prevention education campaign, we ask community members, elected officials, businesses, and students to make a social statement with their fashion—wearing denim as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault.
By sharing photos on Denim Day with the hashtag #EmoryDenimDay. By doing so, we will raise awareness, encourage conversation, and help create a campus free of sexual violence. Everyone is encouraged to take photos of themselves and others wearing denim, and send the photos to the Office of Respect at respect@emory.edu.
Recognize that sexual violence impacts all members of our campus community—regardless of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or any other demographic.
Recognize that people neither ask for nor deserve to be victims of sexual violence—ever.
Collaborate with the Office of Respect to arrange a virtual workshop for your class, department, or office.
Familiarize yourself with Emory’s policies and resources to address sexual violence.
Consult with trained professional staff at the Office of Respect to find out how you can support students and colleagues impacted by sexual violence.
Don’t blame survivors for the violence perpetrated against them & speak up when someone makes a comment that blames survivors.
Know the definition of affirmative consent and do not have sex without consent; know that silence does not equal consent.
Think critically about how the media depicts sexuality and relationships & challenge portrayals that perpetuate violence, oppression, and discrimination.
If you have been a victim of sexual or relationship violence, stalking, or sexual harassment, and would like to be connected with an on-call advocate, you can call the Respect 24/7 Hotline at 404-727-1514.