A Day of Solidarity Followed by Outrage

Dear Denim Day Community,

Yesterday we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Denim Day with millions across the country and the globe wearing jeans and spreading the message that there is no excuse and never an invitation to harass, abuse, assault or rape. It was an international day of awareness and education about the necessity of coming together to support survivors, educate for the prevention of sexual violence, and challenge rape culture.

Here in Los Angeles, the site of the original Denim Day in 1999, we rallied together in community with hundreds of supporters. The energy was electric! Members of the LA County Board of Supervisors, LA City Council, LA District Attorney, LA City Attorney, survivor advocates and community partners all were in attendance speaking eloquently with conviction about these issues.

Today, we wake up to the news of the overturning of the high profile Harvey Weinstein rape case by the New York Appeals Court. The original Denim Day was inspired by a rape case in Italy being overturned by the Supreme Court in Rome because the 18 year woman was wearing tight jeans. There was outrage then, and we are outraged now.

The overturning of a rape conviction on appeal the day after the country tuned into Denim Day with a call to support sexual assault victims is an insult to those victims, those #metoos who kept each other company in speaking out. Over 100 women accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, assault and rape. Thousands of women were then inspired to add their #metoo stories of abuse. Assault and rape victim/survivors heard each others voices. THEY will not,  and WE will not be silenced by a judicial mistake! After 25 years of Denim Days and a violence against women’s movement, we shall not retreat in our commitment to change the culture in every area, including the judiciary. Denim Day’s purpose is to support/believe survivors and to educate ourselves and others! This news will not deter us. It is a heartbreaking setback, but this movement is used to setbacks. Our commitment to survivors is steadfast.

Once again we are witnesses to how difficult it is to get a rape conviction. It shows that survivors can’t rely on the courts for justice. Not yet. But that doesn’t mean we give up the struggle or the commitment to tell and hear the stories, seek healing from the trauma and from disappointments in systems. There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape. Of course we believe in the democratic notion of a fair trial but we also have to examine whether we have created such legal complexities that fairness to victims is diminished. The judge may have made a mistake in this notorious case but the survivors told their truths and the entertainment industry was held to account and the consciousness that has been raised cannot be discounted.

I founded Denim Day at Peace Over Violence to support survivors and challenge the prevalent misconceptions and lies and mistruths surrounding sexual violence with the hope that by massive participation and attention, the issues of sexual, domestic, and interpersonal violence would be taken seriously enough to focus on ending it. The conditions for these abuses persist and the dissatisfaction for seeking justice also persists.

We must stand together and demand reforms and remedies for the justice system and seek to create a culture that is life affirming, inclusive, and respectful — where the prevention of violence is a primary value and that the attitudes, skills and structures that support violence prevention are in place. This means that at a minimum, resources for victims of violence and trauma and crimes must be made available to all. As we speak, federal victim services funding to agencies serving survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, stalking and trafficking is being drastically cut nationwide. Survivors will not be able to receive services and trauma will be left unattended with long term consequences. Denim Day is a call to action to renew our commitment and today with the news of this judicial disappointment, I hope we turn our outrage into organizing, action and solidarity.

Patti Giggans
Founder of Denim Day & Executive Director/CEO of Peace Over Violence