Denim Day in Milwaukee; mayor urges support for sex assault survivors
MILWAUKEE - Wednesday, April 26 was Milwaukee's 12th Denim Day, an international awareness day focused on supporting survivors of sexual assault and educating the public on all forms of sexual violence.
For some, wearing jeans might be a fashion choice, but on Wednesday, the meaning went way beyond the stitching. The jeans served as a sign of support against sexual assault.
"I’m here to support other survivors," said Tiffany.
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Everyone has a story, and they can be difficult to tell.
"It took me over 25 years just to speak up for myself and be OK after I went through it," said Tiffany.
Tiffany is a survivor of sexual assault. She said she wants other victims to know they are not alone.
"It’s absolutely OK to share your story and understand what happened to you is not your fault," said Tiffany.
One thing that brings survivors together every year is the different pairs of jeans on display.
Patrice McBeath
"The purpose of Denim Day is for us to stand with survivors, to say no matter what you are wearing, no matter what the circumstance is, no one should ever violate you in that way," said Patrice McBeath, mental health counselor.
For the 12th year, city leaders in Milwaukee joined in on this worldwide movement. Milwaukee police say in 2022, there were 23 domestic violence homicides compared to 17 in 2021. City leaders say that starts with awareness.
"So many people don’t report or say that this has happened to them," said McBeath. "It’s important as a community to continue to put the word out."
Denim Day in Milwaukee
In a room full of denim, Tiffany said she will continue sharing her story.
"I’m learning that the healing is not overnight," said Tiffany. "It is absolutely a lifetime."
The Denim Day campaign began in 1999 after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent.
The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Since then, what started as a local campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into a movement.