CAN meetings are in blue and Issue Area Group meetings are in red. Other community events are not colored.

Category: C.A.N. Events Calendar
Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - All Day

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and SafePlace is asking Austin area employers, organizations and individuals to join us for Denim Day. On this day, participants wear denim in order to raise awareness of misconceptions surrounding rape and sexual assault and as a collective show of support for survivors of this traumatic form of violence.

Why Denim? In 1998, a teenage girl in Italy was raped by her driving instructor. The man was convicted, but his case went to the Supreme Court of Appeals in Rome. The court overturned the conviction, arguing that because the girl wore very tight jeans she must have had to help remove them, thereby giving consent to have sex. The case made international headlines, and the young woman’s jeans became a symbol of awareness that what someone wears is never an excuse for rape.

It’s easy to get involved:

• Sign up to participate (as an individual or as a group) and receive official Denim Day Stickers! Then make sure you get the official Denim Day Resource Kit - available to download or be mailed to you (please indicate your preference when you sign up).
  
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Use our 30 days of social media posts (available in the Resource Kit) and share sexual assault myths and facts with your friends. Join us on Wednesday, April 18th for a Twitter Chat to learn more and share your ideas.
  
• Ask others to get involved. This is a great opportunity for businesses, social groups, neighborhoods and the faith community to raise awareness within their circles of influence.
  
• On April 25th, wear denim and your Denim Day sticker, take a photo of yourself and/or group and email it to us to share on Facebook and our website.

On April 25th, denim is more than a fashion statement; it’s a visible way to show support for survivors of sexual assault and help create a community of safe and peaceful relationships.

This would not be possible without your concern and commitment to helping end sexual violence in our community. Thank you!