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  The YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center is proud to present The first annual “Denim Day in NJ” Monday, April 28, 2008 Wear jeans with a purpose to show your support This day-long observance is dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and consent. Denim Day and wearing jeans in April became an international symbol of protest of harmful attitudes about rape over a decade ago, after an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction simply because the victim wore jeans. The justices reasoned that the victim must have helped her attacker remove her jeans because they were “tight,” thereby implying her consent. After the decision, the women in the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans to work the next day. Thus, International Denim Day was born. This April marks the 10th year Denim Day has been observed in the U.S., and the first time activities supporting it are taking place in New Jersey. The YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center is bringing Denim Day to New Jersey to educate students about issues of consent and sexual violence. Why? Because we know that the same attitude held by the Italian Supreme Court exists here in our community. The YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center is focusing its efforts on educating young women and men around the issue of consent, introducing an awareness campaign entitled, “Don’t Touch My Jeans ‘Til You Know What I Mean.” Over 50 high schools and colleges throughout Bergen County have been invited to participate in the campaign, and have received Denim Day Toolkits filled with ideas and materials for organizing their own events. contact Angelae at 201-881-1752 or angelae@ywcabergencounty.org. Download the Denim Day Toolkit!! Click here Denim Day is a project of the YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center |