Denim Miller’s Post

Words from my therapist… Have you ever Heard of Denim Day? No, let me tell you what it represents. Denim Day originated from a shocking case in 1992 in Rome, Italy, involving the rape of an 18-year-old girl by her 45-year-old driving instructor. Despite the instructor being initially convicted, the ruling was overturned by a higher court based on the outrageous justification that because the victim wore tight jeans, she must have assisted in removing them, implying consent. Outraged by this verdict, women in Italy protested by wearing jeans on the courthouse steps. This act sparked international outrage and gave birth to the Denim Day campaign organized by Peace Over Violence. What began as a local protest has evolved into an award-winning global movement to raise awareness about rape, sexual assault, and victim blaming. The statistics are staggering - according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced attempted or completed rape in their lifetimes. Denim Day holds deep personal significance to me because it gives voice to survivors like myself and empowers us to reclaim our narratives. Breaking the silence surrounding sexual assault can be an immense challenge. It took me two decades to confront and openly discuss my own experience. However, in finding the courage to speak my truth, I shed the undeserved shame and guilt. Denim Day represents resilience, courage, and the unbreakable spirit of survivors. It serves as a powerful day of solidarity and healing for all survivors to stand together against sexual violence through sharing their stories. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800)656-4673. #sexualassaultawareness #denimday #survivor

Let's come together to support survivors and raise awareness about sexual violence. Since 1999, Peace Over Violence has been at the forefront of this crucial mission, organizing Denim Day, a movement that empowers individuals to challenge misconceptions and stand in solidarity with survivors. Denim Day, which falls on April 24th this year, holds significant historical roots. It originated from a distressing ruling by the Italian Supreme Court in 1998, where a rape conviction was overturned because the victim wore tight jeans, leading the justices to infer consent. In response, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans the following day in solidarity with the victim. This act of support sparked the inception of Denim Day, a campaign developed by Peace Over Violence to combat victim blaming and harmful myths surrounding sexual violence. What began as a local initiative has since evolved into a global movement, with individuals, communities, businesses, and elected officials joining hands to advocate for change. Denim Day invites everyone to make a bold statement by wearing denim, signaling their commitment to ending sexual violence and supporting survivors. This year, on April 24th, let's amplify our voices and actions. By wearing denim, we send a powerful message: we refuse to accept victim blaming, we stand with survivors, and we demand a world free from sexual violence. Join us in spreading the word and taking a stand. Together, we can create a safer, more compassionate society. #DenimDay #SexualAssaultAwareness #EndVictimBlaming #SupportSurvivors #BelieveSurvivors #DenimDay2024 #StandTogether #PeaceOverViolence #ChangeMakers #Empowerment #Solidarity #SocialJustice #CommunityEngagement #AwarenessCampaign #EndSexualViolence #Activism #Advocacy

On Denim Day, 4/24/24, I wore jeans as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault. April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. Denim Day is a time for people around the world to wear jeans to support survivors, and educate ourselves and others about all forms of sexual violence. #DenimDay2024 #SAAM #SexualAssaultAwareness #sexualassaultawarenessmonth #aadpp

#DenimDay24April2024 This global initiative aims to raise awareness about sexual violence and show support for survivors. By wearing denim clothing items such as jeans, jackets, shoes, and shirts, you can join the cause and help educate others about preventing sexual violence. Your participation will contribute to the theme of "Building Connected Communities" for the 2024 sexual assault awareness month, emphasizing the importance of community awareness in preventing violence. Let's stand together in solidarity and make a difference by supporting this meaningful event. #HistorybehindDenimDay Denim Day is a campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. According to DenimDayInfo.org, the campaign began after a ruling in 1992 by the Italian Supreme Court, where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the 18-year-old victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. #raisingVoices #Advocacy #raisingAwareness

Online Abuse Silences Girls' Voices. To mark this year's 16 Days of Activism against #GBV, we continue to campaign for girls' right to be #FreeToBeOnline, raising their demands for a safe and equal online world. Girls urgently need to identify false information online to stay safe. #16DaysOfActivism #EndGBV #ChallengeFearOfViolence #OrangeTheWorld.

As professionals, it's important to remember the underlying reasons behind the work we do. That's why I wanted to take a moment to share the story behind Denim Day, a movement that aims to raise awareness about sexual violence. By understanding the why, we can continue to advocate for change and create a safer, more inclusive environment for all. Read more about the importance of Denim Day in my latest post below. #DenimDay #EndSexualViolence #SupportSurvivors 💙👖🌟

This #16Days of Activism, I am here to remind you that there is #NoExcuse for gender-based violence. Are you with me? Repost/share if you are with me. #16DaysOfActivism #16DaysOfActivismAgainstGenderBasedViolence #16DaystoENDGBV #16DaysAgainstGBV #NoExcuses #Genderequality #Genderbasedviolence #GBV #SDG3 #orangetheworld

A landmark Italian Supreme Court case in 1999 is the inspiration behind #DenimDay. It occurred to me today how easy it is to forget where the day came from. I was preparing to go to dinner, checking myself in the mirror to make sure my outfit was “appropriate” for walking around alone in what is considered a safe Italian neighborhood. Attire is not consent….period. I have to thank my fellow United States Department of Defense IRC on Sexual Assault in the Military Climate and Culture teammates Kris Fuhr and Kyleanne Hunter, the entire commission, and continued amplifier Jenna Newman, PhD. I can always count on these big brains to help us navigate the conversations we should have with ourselves and with each other. We made our statement in the report, excerpted here: “Command climate is the action of implementing Service culture. It is the intersection of individual perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes at the unit level. In the military, climate “lives” at the lowest levels—at the squad or platoon; on the deck plate; or the flight line; or in the office where Service members work together. Climate issues, therefore, are most critically handled by middle management, at the brigade and below. A shift in climate regarding sexual violence is only possible when officer and enlisted leaders at these levels have the knowledge, skills, and ability to implement such a shift, and clearly understand what shift in climate is required. In order for this to happen, significant investments must be made in educating these leaders, equipping them with the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities, and incentivizing them to make changing the climate regarding sexual violence a priority. Leaders must also stress that everyone, at every rank, has a role to play in fostering a safe and healthy climate.” If you’re looking for ways to continue to raise awareness and have fruitful conversations that sew good ground, reach out. Also, check out our recommendations starting on page 184 of the full report…whether they are implemented at the DOD level, you can always carve out your own implementation plan at your level. Source: “Hard Truths and the Duty to Change: Recommendations from the IRC on Sexual Assault in the Military” https://lnkd.in/gvXb_bDr #sexualassaultawareness #military #42in40 #pattillmanfoundation

Day 1: Launching 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Unite, empower, break the silence. #StopGenderBasedViolence #16DaysOfActivism #Kaam4uFoundation #gbv #endgbv #genderequality #womenempowerment #ngo