Denim Day

Type of Event: Other
Sponsor: Health and Human Services

National Denim Day was created in honor of an 18-year old woman who was sexually assaulted by her married 45-year old driving instructor in Italy. The rapist was initially convicted, but a higher court overturned the conviction. The court justices said since the young woman wore tight jeans, the instructor could not take them off by himself, therefore implying consent. Women of the Italian legislature protested the decision by wearing jeans. The case made international headlines, and jeans became a symbol of the many tragic misconceptions that still surround sexual violence.

California established the first Denim Day in the United States in 1999, and it has since grown nationally. The California Victim Compensation Board organizes the Denim Drive campaign in our state.