Denim Day exists as a powerful symbol of protest against victim-blaming and to raise awareness about sexual violence.
It began in 1999 after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction, stating that because the survivor was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped remove them—implying consent. In response, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in solidarity with the survivors. The gesture sparked a global movement.
Since then, Denim Day has been observed annually during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (the last Wednesday in April). People wear denim to:
- Challenge harmful myths about sexual assault
- Support survivors and amplify their voices
- Stand against victim-blaming in all its forms
- Educate others about the realities of sexual violence and consent.
Wearing jeans on Denim Day is a visible act of solidarity—a way to say loud and clear: what someone wears is never an invitation for abuse.