HONOLULU (APRIL 9, 2021) — On April 28, 2021 millions of people
globally will observe Denim Day, the longest-running sexual violence
prevention and education campaign. In its 22 nd year, the campaign
message remains consistent: There is no excuse and never an
invitation to rape.
The Zonta Club of Leilehua, a member of Zonta International,
challenges individuals, families, institutions, businesses and elected
officials to wear jeans on April 28 then submit a photo to the club’s
email, zontaleilehua@gmail.com . Club President, Tracey Parker Kini
explains, “All photos are welcome…any island, any state, any
country!”
Denim Day recalls an Italian Supreme Court case that sparked
international outrage when a judge overturned a lower court’s
conviction of a rapist. Because the victim wore tight jeans, the judge
ruled that she must have helped her attacker remove them, thus
implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian
Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.
“The Denim Day campaign is a call to action for all of us,” said Patti
Giggans, Founder of Denim Day. “Wearing jeans is a symbol of
protest and a message of solidarity with survivors. Every two minutes,
someone is sexually assaulted in America – and often the victim is
blamed. The Denim Day campaign is designed to challenge all of us
to change our thinking about sexual assault and our relationship to
violence and rape.”
