Every year since 1999, Denim Day has been recognized and celebrated by various communities around the world. The day aims to recognize and combat the presence of misconceptions and victim blaming surrounding sexual violence. On April 30, Ms. Simon Says Girls Club encouraged students and faculty to observe this day by wearing denim to school.
During break, the club set up a table in the commons where they welcomed questions about the event, and distributed denim-themed pins, ribbons, and blue candy.
“We wear denim on this day to spread awareness about sexual violence—the misconceptions,” said club sponsor and Attendance and Health Coordinator, Brenda Simons Tillman.
The tradition of wearing denim on Denim Day comes from a sexual violence case in which a perpetrator tried to justify his rape of a victim by claiming that, because she was wearing tight jeans, it was consensual, as he couldn’t have gotten the jeans off her body without her help. The victim testified against this—she had previously stated that they were forcibly removed solely by him.
Through wearing denim, awareness is brought to the victim blaming that still surround sexual violence today.
“It’s so heartwarming to see people around me wearing denim to support the cause. It’s a reminder of how strong this community is,” said Kendall Clark ’28.
