First-Ever 'Denim Day' Marks Sexual Assault Awareness in Louisville

‘Denim Day’ has reached Louisville. The annual sexual assault awareness day is marked in several counties and U.S. states – but it’s the first time it’s been observed in Louisville. The Center for Women and Families is organizing the effort, which encourages people to wear jeans for the day to prompt conversations about sexual violence and services for victims in Louisville. Center spokesperson Corissa Phillips says jeans aren’t necessarily a unique piece of clothing, but it has significance."This all started back in 1999, when an Italian high court overturned a rape conviction. The justices reason that since the victim wore very tight jeans, the man who was accused of raping her could not have removed them by himself. So this, they ruled, meant that the victim must have willingly participated," said Phillips.Female members of Italy’s legislature protested the ruling by wearing jeans to work and Denim Day has grown ever since.Phillips says one in six women and one in 33 men will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime.