MEDIA ADVISORY: MU to Observe Denim Day During Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April 24th, 2014

By Sarah Clinton

WHAT: Although jeans can be spotted throughout the MU campus every day, Mizzou students, faculty and staff will wear denim on April 24 for a special purpose—to take a stand against sexual assault.

Denim Day began after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction in 1999. In their ruling, the Italian justices said that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. After the ruling, women in the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans, and the protest developed into an annual international event. The Italian Supreme Court overturned their findings in 2008. Join MU faculty, staff and students by wearing jeans/denim on this day.

The MSA/GPC Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center, in partnership with the MSA/GPC Craft Studio and the MU Farmers Market, will sponsor a Denim Day event as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The MU community is encouraged to wear jeans and/or Denim Day pins, which can be obtained by emailing RSVP@missouri.edu before April 24 or by attending the event.

 

WHO: MU students, faculty and staff

WHEN: Thursday, April 24

NOTE: For more information about Denim Day in Missouri, visit: http://health.mo.gov/living/families/womenshealth/denimday.

*A previously scheduled event on Lowry mall has been cancelled due to the possibility of rain.