RSU students, staff and faculty are invited to show their support for survivors of all forms of sexual violence by wearing jeans Wednesday, April 30, in observance of Denim Day 2025.
Rogers State University students, staff and faculty are invited to show their support for survivors of all forms of sexual violence by wearing jeans on Wednesday, April 30, in observance of Denim Day 2025.
Taking place on the last Wednesday of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Denim Day is a day of action and awareness in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual violence.
Denim Day began in Italy 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.
The RSU Office of Student Affairs will set up a booth in the rotunda of the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center during the day, handing out information, stickers, and more to raise awareness of sexual violence and to combat victim blaming.
At 3 p.m., there will be a photo taken of event attendees (wearing denim) on the stairs of the DCTC rotunda. Immediately following the photo, RSU Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Jeana Rae Conn will host a small workshop in Conference Room A of the DCTC with a presentation of what Denim Day is for those who are interested. The workshop will last until 4 p.m.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.