Make A Social Statement With Your Fashion Statement
What is Denim Day?
For the past 20 years, Peace Over Violence has run its Denim Day campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault and rape. In this sexual violence prevention and education campaign we ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
This year UMMA has teamed up with Peace Over Violence to raise awareness on Sexual Assault. On April 5th, POV Board Member Yasmin Dunn, presented to UMMA during our April all staff to give the history of Denim Day, and allowed UMMA staff to ask questions about resources in the county that can help our patients, ourselves and our community.
How We Will Be Participating
UMMA team members will “wear jeans with a purpose” to spread awareness at both of our clinic sites.
Our Behavioral Health team will be tabling a booth during our Free Food Fair. There will be a Denim Day photo booth and facts to raise sexual assault awareness. Community members will also be able to show solidarity and support for survivors of sexual assault by filling out “Sexual assault, not in my ____” cards which will be put on display at both clinics.
Student Health Leaders will table during lunch time at Fremont H.S. to raise awareness; interactive tie dye shirts will be given to those students who fill out a “Sexual assault, not in my ____” postcard which will be displayed throughout the school.
HOW WILL YOU SHOW YOUR SUPPORT?!
We are providing services to support sexual assault survivors. Appointments can be made through BHDept@UMMAClinic.org or by calling 323.686.5610 and asking to speak to the Behavioral Health Department.
Helpful Resources
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) Hotline (24/7):
National Emergency Hotlines
800.656.HOPE (4673)
This confidential hotline routes callers to the nearest sexual assault service provider and provides sexual assault victims with local resources that can assist with next steps towards healing and recovery.
National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7):
800.799.SAFE (7233)
800.787.3224 (TTY)
This confidential hotline is available to survivors of intimate partner violence, their friends and family, and for people who are (or feel they are in danger of) causing harm to their partner. The hotline can help connect you to local services.
Los Angeles County Rape & Battering Hotlines
213-626-3393 (Central Los Angeles)
310-392-8381 (South Los Angeles)
626-793-3385 (West San Gabriel Valley)
The Los Angeles Rape and Battering hotline is a confidential non-judgmental resource where staff and volunteers are available to provide emotional support, advocacy, information and referrals.