Denim Day Effect, Worldwide

From Los Angeles to New York City, Canada to India, the Denim Day movement has continued to reach millions of people. With events and education happening in all 50 states and in over 50 countries, people around the globe showed their support for survivors, spreading the Denim Day message, that there is no excuse and never and invitation to harass, abuse, assault or rape. This commitment ensures that our message and mission continue to grow and that resources and information become more accessible to survivors and communities everywhere.

Denim Day was embraced by major cities around the US.

One of the many Denim Day supporters is New York City. Denim Day NYC is a coalition led by survivors, advocates, community organizations, city council members and agencies working together to end sexual violence since 2010. Despite rainy weather this year, dozens gathered in Foley Square on Denim Day for a “Rally Against Sexual Assault.” The following day, Denim Day NYC continued their efforts by hosting their “Annual March Against Sexual Assault” in the Bronx.

In the Midwest, Denim Day Milwaukee once again declared Denim Day a citywide sexual violence awareness campaign. The City’s Office of Violence Prevention and Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault serve on the planning committee for Denim Day since adopting the campaign in 2015.

National and local advocacy, health and worker rights organizations showed up for survivors and gave us a Denim Day shout out!

Organization across the country wore jeans with a purpose. In California, the Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation stood up for Deaf survivors by wearing denim, making signs together with POV Deaf advocates Laura Ripplinger, Peggie Reyna and Ashley Stacy.

Joining forces across social media were several outstanding organizations: Times Up!, who advocate against sexual harassment, assault and workplace inequality; the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC); the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), which runs the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault hotline; the Joyful Heart Foundation; Jackson Health Foundation; the New York Occupational Safety and Health Administration (NY-OSHCA), a state funded agency that ensures healthy and safe working conditions for workers and the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury.

We are truly humbled when sister organizations stand in solidarity with the Denim Day message. Incredible organizations across the world took their own community-based approaches to Denim Day, sharing a common goal–a world that upholds and supports survivors of sexual violence.

Students and schools activated Denim Day nationwide.

Thousands of students around the country enthusiastically rocked denim on the 25th, engaging their peers, fellow students, fraternities and school campuses. The University of California of Irvine athletics, University of California San Francisco, Virginia State University, University of Florida Health Center, the Historically Black Colleges, the US Military Academy and Alpha Chi Omega all showed their support.

Influencers and celebrities support Denim Day.

Denim Day garnered even more visibility in 2018–including a trending #DenimDay hashtag! Olympic gold medalist and survivor Aly Raisman, Academy and Golden Globe Award winning actress Mira Sorvino, Emmy Award winning actor and comedian Eric Stonestreet, three-time World Wrestling Entertainment Women’s Champion Melina Perez, rock and roll legends Hall & Oates and the entire New York City Gotham Girls Roller Derby team posted Denim day support.

Denim Day increases its international scope.

Denim Day’s international reach and social media presence expanded in 2018 with posts and messages from India, Indonesia, Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Peru, Mexico, Mauritius, Kenya and more. Over 50 countries joined in the effort to raise awareness around erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault and rape.

Continue to support survivors year-round!

POV encourages you to be an ally and advocate for survivors every day. Try something as simple as saying “sexual harassment–not on my watch.” Educate others about rape culture. Validate and support survivors. There is no excuse and never an invitation to harass, abuse, assault or rape.