CONTENT WARNING: The following segment contains mentions of sexual assault. Please listen at your discretion.
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Today, you may notice people wearing a bit more denim than usual. This is not the newest fashion trend, but rather a display of activism - a show of solidarity with survivors of sexual assault.
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Why Denim?
In 1998, The Italian supreme court overturned a rape conviction due to the fact that during the assault, the victim was wearing tight jeans.
The court believed that because the jeans were tight, the victim must have had to have helped her assailant remove them, which in the court’s eyes implied consent.
The next day, the women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans on the steps of the supreme court in protest of the verdict and in solidarity with the victim.
Their activism caught the eye of the nonprofit Peace Over Violence, whose mission is to build healthy communities free from sexual, domestic and interpersonal violence. In 1999, the organization created the first Denim Day.
Every year on April 27th, people are encouraged to wear denim to show support for sexual assault survivors and bring awareness to the notion of victim-blaming.
Since its creation, people all over the world make the point to rock their denim. Here on campus, USC student organizations are doing their part to support the movement.
Earlier today, at the Bovard Auditorium., student organizations like SAGE, SSC -- the Survivor Support Community, PAVE - the Promoting Awareness and Victim Empowerment, and USC Flow all sponsored the walkout.
According to the organizations, the purpose of the event was to raise awareness of “sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and gender- and power-based harm at USC.” Nationally an average of 1 in 4 women have reported being sexually assaulted on college campuses. At USC it’s 1 in 3 according to a 2019 survey.
Senior psychology major Elle de los Reyes said she wants more from USC.
ELLE DE LOS REYES: I would love just more accountability from administration and more action. Frankly, I feel like things have been very hands off, and I think that there needs to be a more cut throat with their policies and also just more adamant about their administration being careful and competent in what they do.
The organizations also presented a list of demands primarily aimed at the Administration, such as suspending or expelling all fraternity members with open sexual assault cases and a reallocation of more funds to USC survivor resources.
Senior Natalia Parraz is studying international relations as well as NGOs and social change. She is the President of USC Flow - a intersectional feminist organization on campus - and helped organize the event.
NATALIA PARRAZ: We’re all here because we care about survivors first and foremost. So that’s why we’re doing this. And we want to see an actual cultural change so we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Some other ways to participate today - and even beyond - include wearing jeans, a denim day button (available at testing sites and entrances to campus), spreading awareness via social media or donating to organizations that provide support and programs for sexual assault survivors.
Dylan Julia Cooper, a freshman studying theater and anthropology, explained her reasoning for participating in the walkout.
DYLAN JULIA COOPER: We have to keep fighting for the people that are tired of having to fight for themselves, like no one should ever have to fight alone for an issue like this. And I think it’s important that we work together.
If you would like to learn more about Denim Day and USC’s Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services efforts, you can find services in the USC Student Health Center. The center provides 24/7 advocate services to survivors of sexual assault and gender-based harm, along with other mental health support.