Pasadena to Recognize Denim Day on Wednesday in Support of Sexual Assault Survivors

This Wednesday, the City of Pasadena will participate in the 25th annual Denim Day, a campaign that encourages people to wear jeans in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault. 

The event, held on the last Wednesday of April as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, aims to educate the public about sexual violence and challenge misconceptions that contribute to victim blaming.

“Join us in recognizing Denim Day this Wednesday, April 24, by wearing denim and sharing the importance of this day of action,” the City of Pasadena said in a statement on social media. City employees are encouraged to wear professional-looking denim jeans to work to show their support.

The Denim Day movement originated in Italy in 1999, after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction based on the justices’ belief that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker remove them, implying consent. In protest, the women of the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work the following day, sparking a global campaign against harmful myths about sexual violence.

In Pasadena, the Police Department has specially trained detectives in its Special Victims Unit who are experts in handling cases of sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence. 

“We want to remind the survivor that they are not alone. We understand the victim will often struggle with being believed or taken seriously,” said Lieutenant Monica Cuellar, a spokeswoman for the Department. “There is no pressure to report but understanding the process during this traumatic experience and what to expect may ease their worries to help them move forward.”

The Department also delivers presentations on internet safety to local schools as part of its efforts to raise awareness about sexual assault in the community. 

For the past 25 years, Peace Over Violence, a local nonprofit dedicated to violence prevention and intervention, has organized the Denim Day campaign in Los Angeles.

By wearing denim on Wednesday, participants in Pasadena and across the country aim to show support for survivors while combating harmful victim-blaming attitudes that can discourage reporting and recovery after an assault. 

“We believe in encouraging, empowering, and supporting,” Lieutenant Cuellar said.