AAUW staff members showed up to work in jeans today in commemoration of Denim Day. Part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Denim Day began as a protest against an Italian rape case, in which the guilty verdict was overturned because the victim was wearing tight jeans before the rape occurred. The court felt the victim must have helped take off her jeans, therefore consenting to sex.
Today we stand up for this woman, and for all women, in fighting misperceptions about rape. Clothes play no part in causing rape — it can happen to someone wearing jeans, a tight dress, or an oversized parka.
What about you, dear readers? What are you doing to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month?
I will certainly spread the word. Had no idea about that Italian rape case. What an outrage.