Zonta Club of Hilo raises awareness of sexual assault on “Denim Day”, April 26

Zonta Club of Hilo asks businesses, organizations, and individuals to wear jeans on Denim Day in support of sexual assault survivors and to raise awareness about sexual assault misconceptions.

Denim Day is a global initiative to educate the public about rape and sexual assault. 

Denim Day is held on the last Wednesday in April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and falls on April 26 this year.

The Zonta Club is a global service organization that works to empower and improve the lives of women and girls worldwide.

The Zonta Club of Hilo, a promotes sexual assault prevention and education efforts annually on “Denim Day,” in conjunction with the County of Hawai‘i Mayor’s Office, County Council, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and Island of Hawai‘i YMCA. 

“Wearing jeans on Denim Day is part of the international campaign against sexual violence,” says Charlene Iboshi, Advocacy Chair. 

The first Denim Day was in 1999 and was inspired by the women of the Italian Parliament who wore jeans to work the day after an Italian High Court overturned the rape conviction of a 45-year-old man who sexually assaulted his 18-year-old driving student.

The court based its decision on the victim wearing tight jeans and “certainly it is impossible to pull them off if the victim is fighting her attacker with all her force,” determining that if she helped the perpetrator remove her jeans, she must have consented.

Zonta Club of Hilo joins together with groups across the country and the world to wear jeans to get the message out. 

At least 20 states within the United States officially recognize Denim Day.

On April 26, the public is invited to wear jeans with a purpose, and show their support for sexual assault survivors.  

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the safe, confidential National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or access 24/7 help at online.rainn.org.

Zonta Club of Hilo is member of Zonta International, whose mission is to build a better world for women and girls.  

Denim Day aligns with the global “Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women” campaign, which brings awareness to these issues and advocates on behalf of gender-based violence survivors.   For more information, visit www.zontahilo.org.