April is Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness Month

Subhead
April 26 is Denim Day. The Denim Day story began in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by her 45-year-old driving instructor during her very first driving lesson. She reported the assault, and the perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to jail. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming that they had consensual sex. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction, and the perpetrator was released. A statement from the Court argued that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to have helped to remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not rape but consensual sex. This became known throughout Italy as the “jeans alibi.” Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of their Supreme Court building. This protest was picked up by international media and spread across the world and people began wearing jeans on the fourth Wednesday of April to bring more awareness and education on sexual violence while showcasing that there is no excuse for, and never an invitation to, sexual assault. It highlighted that someone’s clothing makes no determination whether a sexual assault could occur or whether someone is deserving or asking for it. CAP Services Family Crisis Center (FCC) 920-787-1523 offers free confidential and supportive advocacy, referral and information sharing, court and medical accompaniment, or support group, and counseling to area victims. A Spanish Speaking, Bilingual and bicultural advocate are available at CAP Services 920-787-4489. Also, a 24-hour crisis line 1-800-472-3377.
Image