WINNEMUCCA - Nevadans across the state are urged to break the dress code and the silence Wednesday, April 24, by wearing jeans to participate in Denim Day in Nevada.
Denim Day in Winnemucca is being hosted by the Winnemucca Domestic Violence Services and sponsored by Nevada Coalition Against Sexual Violence (NCASV) and Scrap Domestic Violence (ScrapDV).
The Denim Day campaign began in 1999 with Peace Over Violence, as part of an international protest of an Italian high court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing tight jeans.
The Italian Supreme Court dismissed charges against a 45-year-old rape suspect because his 18-year old victim was wearing jeans at the time of the attack.
The court stated in its decision that, "It is common knowledge...that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them...and it is impossible if the victim is struggling with all her might."
The judgment sparked a worldwide outcry from those who understand coercion, threats and violence go along with the act of rape. The unpopular verdict became an international symbol of myth-based injustice for sexual assault victims.
Nevada programs have been joining in the campaign for many of those years. Now, in 2013, NCASV and ScrapDV have expanded the reach of the campaign, at no cost to programs, and ask Nevadans to join them in addressing and ending rape in the state.
"It is vital we raise awareness of the sexual violence occurring in Nevada's communities. Too many victims are suffering in silence because of the prevalence of victim blaming and society's hesitance to believe their experiences. It is unacceptable to blame victims for the assaults perpetrated against them, and until we change our way of thinking, victim blaming will continue to damage our survivors and delay their healing processes," said JoAnn Casalez, executive director of Scrap Domestic Violence.
"Where victim blaming is justified, it will continue and with a sexual assault occurring every two minutes in the U.S., we cannot afford to continue denying or blaming victims. There is never an excuse or invitation to rape. It is time to speak up and say no more, know more," Casalez said.
Denim Day organizers in Nevada say there are excited that Gov. Brian Sandoval not only declared April as Sexual Assault Awareness month, but April 24 as Denim Day in Nevada.
The governor's office, attorney general's office, the office of the first lady and others will be promoting Denim Day in Nevada, along with over two dozen programs, agencies and schools throughout the state.
A full list of participants is located online at www.denimdayinnevada.com. Organizers say they encourage people to utilize the tools provided, learn more and take action.
For Denim Day in Nevada materials, contact WDVS at 625-1313.[[In-content Ad]]
