Members of the Creighton community wore jeans last Thursday as part of Denim Day to show support and show solidarity for victims of sexual violence.
Denim Day began in 1999 in Italy after a conviction in the rape of an 18-year-old was overturned by the Italy’s highest court. One of the justices said that because the victim’s jeans were tight, she must have helped him to remove them, thus implying consent. The next day, the women of the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in protest of victim blaming and to stand with survivors of sexual violence.
Now, Creighton students and faculty wear denim all day before the Take Back the Night event in solidarity with anyone who has experienced sexual abuse. Buttons are handed out throughout the week to add context to the event.
“Every year, we’re in awe of how many faculty, staff and clinicians wear denim to make a difference,” said Lauren Ward, head of the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center at Creighton.
Denim Day was held at Creighton with Take Back the Night, where survivors of sexual violence can talk openly about their experiences. Ward said the event is not documented to respect the survivors’ identities.
“It is the closest a public event could ever come to replicating what confidential advocates do, see, and hear behind closed doors,” Ward said.
The VIP Center was started in 2011 with the implementation of Green Dot at Creighton to work toward a safer campus.
This is a confidential space for survivors where Ward and others can literally and figuratively walk with them through their options after a traumatic sexual experience.
Ward suggests that if you know someone who has gone through any kind of sexual violence who confides in you, it’s important to be open. Listen to them and believe what they have to say. Let them decide what they want to do with the situation they are dealing with.
“These issues are deeply about power and control, so one of the most healing things someone can do for a friend is empower them with choice,” Ward said.