Blue jeans and denim jackets may not immediately inspire thoughts of activism, but on Wednesday, donning the classic cotton fabric signaled exactly that.
Monongalia County Victim Assistance Program participated in National Denim Day Wednesday to spread awareness for sexual assault victims.
Supporters were encouraged to wear denim in remembrance of an infamous Italian Supreme Court case.
In the 1990s, an 18-year-old girl was raped by her 45-year-old male driving instructor. After being convicted in lower courts, the man appealed all the way to the Italian Supreme Court, which argued the girl couldn’t have been raped “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans — she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape, but consensual sex.”
The verdict enraged the women of the Italian Parliament, who protested by wearing jeans to work.
The call to action was picked up by the California State Senate and Assembly and local activists and “Denim Day in L.A.” was born. The first Denim Day was held in 1999 and has continued every year since nationally.
To end Morgantown’s Wednesday even, a proclamation was made in courthouse square on High Street, in support of all victims.
The gathering featured guest speakers, a giveaway drawing for three custom denim jackets, information about VAP and other community partners, and a candlelight vigil.
For more information on the Monongalia County VAP and the services it offers, visit the Facebook page: Monongalia County Victim Assistance Program or email moncovap@moncopa.com.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
