April 30th is Denim Day—a global day of action during Sexual Assault Awareness Month where people wear denim in response to the systems and stories that blame survivors instead of confronting harm. The day began as a response to a court ruling in Italy that excused violence because of the jeans someone wore. In 1998, an Italian woman was assaulted by her driving instructor, and when the case went to court, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction, claiming that because she was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped remove them, implying consent. The outrage that followed led to Denim Day—a day to stand in solidarity with survivors and challenge a culture that dismisses their experiences. Someone's clothing—or lack thereof—doesn’t determine or justify any form of violence.
Hiding In Plain Sight
Sexual violence is a public health crisis. According to the CDC, over half of women/people with Vs will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, compared to 1 in 3 men/people with Ps. Many believe this issue is distant. In reality, it’s far more common—and much closer—than most want to admit. It permeates our homes, workplaces, community spaces, and the places meant to feel safest. It’s often dismissed as miscommunication, excused as personality, or ignored to protect someone’s reputation. Harm hides behind charm, power, and credentials. Too often, those who cause harm are protected, while survivors are asked to stay quiet, forgive quickly, or carry on as if nothing happened. Movements like #MeToo didn’t emerge as isolated responses but as collective refusals to keep participating in a culture built to look away. This culture is not accidental—it’s designed to keep harm intact.
Institutions Are Not Neutral
The same systems that claim to protect often enable harm. Schools, hospitals, churches, nonprofits, and governments have long histories of complicity—through silence, inaction, and calculated denial. Policies are written to reduce liability, not increase safety. Procedures are designed to protect reputations, not people. Survivors, especially those who are Black, queer, disabled, undocumented, or otherwise deemed ‘less believable,’ are regularly pushed to the margins. Harm is not just personal—it is institutional, embedded in how systems operate and who they choose to uplift. It’s no coincidence that the current administration includes a sitting president and a Supreme Court justice with well-documented histories of sexual harm. That such individuals could be elevated to the highest positions of power speaks volumes about what this country is willing to excuse—especially when harm-doers have access to wealth, whiteness, and influence. No one with a known history of violence should be anywhere near decision-making power. That it’s even up for debate reveals just how deeply this culture has normalized harm.
Safety Can Only Be Created Collectively
Safety isn’t something passively received—it is actively created. Everyone has a role. That means calling in those who cause harm, interrupting harmful behaviors, and standing with survivors without demanding the full story. It means treating consent as a practice—not a buzzword. Consent is the right to say no, to change your mind, and to set boundaries at any time. It also means holding people accountable—not just through punishment, but through ongoing community care, repair, and prevention. Consent should be modeled early: kids shouldn’t be forced to hug relatives, and “no” should be honored the first time. We aren’t entitled to anyone’s time, energy, or bodies. Respecting autonomy should be the baseline, not the exception.
Consent Isn’t Just Celebrated, It’s Required
Part of creating safer cultures is naming harm for what it is. If someone violates another’s boundaries or crosses a sexual line without consent, that’s abuse—no matter their intentions or identity. Survivors deserve to be believed, supported, and listened to. Despite sensationalized media stories, false reports of sexual assault are extremely rare—studies show they account for only 2–8% of all reports. The real crisis is not false accusations; it’s the overwhelming silence and dismissal of real ones. Consent should not simply be welcomed or celebrated—it should be required. We must build communities where mutual respect, safety, and accountability are the standard.
Clothing Does Not Determine Consent
Clothing doesn’t give anyone permission to violate someone’s boundaries or assume consent. Whether someone is in a mini skirt, tight jeans, or anything else, their outfit doesn’t imply they are asking for or inviting intimacy. Consent is always communicated through clear, respectful dialogue—not assumptions based on appearances. People should be able to dress in ways that feel affirming to them, without fear of judgment or harm. The idea that certain clothing "asks for it" perpetuates dangerous myths that excuse violence. Everyone deserves to feel safe and authentic in their expression, without censoring themselves out of fear. No one should feel they have to compromise their clothing, style, or expression to stay safe.
Call to Action: IT TAKES ALL OF US
Denim Day is a reminder that the work of creating safety and accountability is an ongoing responsibility. It’s in the everyday choices we make: showing up for survivors, creating spaces where everyone’s autonomy is respected, and holding ourselves and others accountable when harm happens. It’s about rejecting the normalization of violence and choosing to live in ways that prioritize respect, consent, and empathy. Denim Day is a reminder and an invitation to be part of a collective effort to make safety, care, and accountability the foundation of the world we create together.
