Fabric Shapes the Future

Annually, Denim Day is observed on the last Wednesday of April to raise awareness about sexual violence and highlight many misconceptions that surround it. The campaign was inspired by a protest within the Italian Parliament following the disputed Supreme Court decision in a case known as the “Denim Day Trial.”
The “Denim Day Trial” was a 1992 Italian supreme court case following the rape of an 18-year-old girl. The perpetrator, her 45-year-old driving instructor, appealed his first sentence on the grounds that he and the victim had consensual sex. The court overturned the original rape conviction, arguing that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must’ve needed help to remove them – implying consent.
Denim Day began when women in the Italian Parliament organized a protest to wear jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. Sparking global recognition for the trial, the protests eventually coined the decision as the “Jeans Alibi.” The Peace Over Violence organization was influenced by this protest and developed the Denim Day campaign to bring recognition to the case and the activism that surrounded it. Once the campaign gained international publicity, other countries began engaging with the movement.
Now, over 30 years after the trial, Denim Day is recognized globally. The campaign continues to inspire support for survivors, encourage education about sexual violence, combat rape culture, and prevent future victim blaming.