April 26, 2023

 

flyer for Emory Denim Day April 26 2023

Content Disclaimer: Denim Day is an international event to raise awareness about sexual violence. This content is sensitive in nature and may cause uncomfortable feelings or be triggered. Please contact the Office of Respect’s 24/7 Hotline at 470-270-5360 if you would like to be connected with an On-call advocate. 

What is Denim Day at Emory?

Denim Day is an initiative of Emory's Office of Respect that seeks to support survivors and raise funds for the office. The Office of Respect serves as the central hub for sexual and interpersonal violence prevention programs, as well as efforts to create a more survivor-supportive campus community.

On Denim Day, members of the Emory community are invited to participate by wearing jeans (or any denim clothing) with a purpose: visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.

 

History of Denim Day?

An Italian Parliament in 1999 overturned a 1992 rape conviction based on the victim’s clothing. According to the decision, the woman was wearing tight jeans, and therefore must have given consent. This decision led to protests in Italy where women wore jeans showing support for the victim.

Why should I participate?

Peace Over Violence developed and organized the country’s first Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it in 1999. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. In this rape prevention education campaign, we ask community members, elected officials, businesses, and students to make a social statement with their fashion—wearing denim as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault.

How do I participate?

Join us by sharing photos on Denim Day with the hashtag #EmoryDenimDay. By doing so, we will raise awareness, encourage conversation, and help create a campus free of sexual violence. Similar to past Denim Days, everyone is encouraged to take photos of themselves and others wearing denim and send the photos to the Office of​ Respect at respect@emory.edu. You can also tag the Office of Respect on social media through Facebook; Twitter @RespectWell; and Instagram @office_of_respect 

After following or tagging, use #EmoryDenimDay to ensure the photos can be seen by the office. The Student Government Association is a collaborator for the event and the Graduate Student Government will donate $1 for every person in the Denim Day photo received by the Office of Respect. 

What else can I do in addition to wearing denim?

  1. Recognize that sexual violence impacts all members of our campus community—regardless of gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or any other demographic.

  2. Recognize that people neither ask for nor deserve to be victims of sexual violence—ever.

  3. Collaborate with the Office of Respect to arrange a virtual workshop for your class, department, or office.

  4. Familiarize yourself with Emory’s policies and resources to address sexual violence.

  5. Consult with trained professional staff at the Office of Respect to find out how you can support students and colleagues impacted by sexual violence.

  6. Don’t blame survivors for the violence perpetrated against them & speak up when someone makes a comment that blames survivors.

  7. Know the definition of affirmative consent and do not have sex without consent; know that silence does not equal consent.

  8. Think critically about how the media depicts sexuality and relationships & challenge portrayals that perpetuate violence, oppression, and discrimination.

  9. Lobby your local, state and federal legislators for funding for anti-sexual assault programs.

  10. If you have been a victim of sexual or relationship violence, stalking, or sexual harassment, and would like to be conencted with an on-call advocate, you can call the Respect 24/7 Hotline at 470-270-5360.