Students, staff and faculty at UBC’s Okanagan campus are being asked to stand up for a respectful campus by wearing denim on Jan. 18.
Denim Day is an annual event at the university organized by students to make a statement about sexual assault, consent, and gender-based violence. While the entire month of January is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with a number of workshops and events taking place, the third Wednesday is set aside as Denim Day.
“The annual tradition started after an Italian court overturned a rape charge in 1998 because the victim was wearing tight jeans,” reads the UBC Okanagan press release.
“The ruling stated that since the victim’s jeans were tight, she had to have helped remove them and as a result gave consent to her attacker. Angered by this ruling, people around the world showed support for the victim by wearing denim. The tradition has continued since then.”
Starting at noon at January 18, the Denim Day Clothesline Project begins in the Fipke Centre foyer. Activities include a community art project and people are asked to bring denim that can be painted and decorated. The pieces will then be hung for the rest of the UBC community to see. People are also encouraged to wear a Denim Day sticker that day.
Sexual assault awareness activities continue throughout the month of January at UBC Okanagan. All events are organized by the Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness group
What: Denim Day: Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
Who: Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness student group
When: Wednesday, January 18
Where: Fipke Centre, UBC Okanagan campus
Details about SARA or SAAM can be found at: SAAM or sara.ubco@gmail.com.
