Peace Over Violence kicks off SAAM with Denim Day in LA

Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. As a result, April marks the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a yearly event that brings about awareness on the issues of sexual assault and rape. In Italy in 1999 , a 45 year-old man was announced by the Italian High Court as “not guilty” after raping an 18 year-old young woman because the court believed that because she was wearing jeans, there was no way he could have raped her without her help taking the jeans off. The court stated: “it is common knowledge…that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of that person wearing them…and it is impossible if the victim is struggling with all her might.”

Although a decision later reversed, the outcry from the world created a global phenomenon that sparked the creation of a day where women and men were asked to wear jeans as a a sign of solidarity and support for sexual assault survivors, saying, “it doesn’t matter what you wear, nobody has the right to sexual assault you.” The day took on many names from “Jeans to Justice” to “Denim Day.” More than a decade later, Peace Over Violence has taken Denim Day in LA to a historic and honorary level. This year, Denim Day in LA continues to gain even more momentum with a kick-off event this month at The Staples Center sponsored by LA City Council, LAUSD, Congresswoman Judy Chu and many others. Join Peace Over Violence this April 27 and be a part of Denim Day in LA. Wear your jeans to show your support.