Editor’s note: This article discusses sexual violence. The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673 and a list of local resources is available here.
A Milwaukee event that advocates against sexual assault focused on the youth this year.
The city’s annual Denim Day event was held at H.W. Longfellow School and the Journey House community center in the city’s Clarke Square neighborhood with over a hundred students in attendance April 29. The event is meant to raise awareness of the issue of sexual assault and the problem of victim blaming.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson, school officials and a poet each took turns speaking to the assembled students about sexual assault. Their points were simple and varied: the things people wear is never an invitation to cause harm; take responsibility for the culture we live in; and, perhaps most importantly, respect others.
Johnson rattled off several statistics to the students as well, the frequency at which someone in the country is sexually assaulted and the frequency of when the victim is a child.
“That’s not okay,” Johnson said. “The numbers and statistics you hear are real people.”
Longfellow seventh grader Andrea Pinto said the event was important for her and other students. She said students need to treat others well to help improve the problem.
“Care for each other’s boundaries and beliefs,” Pinto said.
Here’s what to know about Denim Day:
What is Denim Day?
Denim Day asks people to wear jeans as a way of showing solidarity with victims of sexual violence.
The day began in 1999, after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction, according to a city news release. The court’s rationale was because the survivor was wearing tight jeans, the woman must have helped remove them, indicating she gave consent.
That decision kicked off Denim Day in Italy, with women in the country’s government wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Now, the day is recognized worldwide.
How did Denim Day come to Milwaukee?
Denim Day has been celebrated for 15 years in Milwaukee.
Dawn Helmrich, a rape survivor, brought it to the city after she faced blame for what happened to her. Then-Mayor Tom Barrett supported the idea and it has been celebrated annually since.
Denim Day held at a public school this year
In previous years, Denim Day has been marked by events at City Hall, Marquette University and with jeans hanging from light posts. This year, the city marked it by holding an event at H.W. Longfellow School’s Journey House community center.
Seventh and eighth grade special education teacher Matthew Zaccone told the Journal Sentinel it was an important venue for the event to be held.
“Just getting the word out there and letting people know this is our safe place, this is my body, hands off,” he said.
The city’s Department of Community Wellness and Safety organized the event.
What other ways can you celebrate Denim Day, Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Milwaukee?
The Aurora Health Care Foundation is holding its Hope Shining Blue event April 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. The event brings together advocates and survivors, who will take an empowerment walk. Registration has closed, but those interested in securing a seat or sponsorship can email moira.flood@@aah.org for more details.
Organizations are being asked to take a photo while wearing teal to support Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Those can be posted on social media with the hashtag #TEAMTEAL365 or send to teamteal365@gmail.com
Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee are also hosting events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month on April 29.
The City of Milwaukee offers a list of resources for sexual assault survivors that can be found at https://city.milwaukee.gov/staysafe/directory
David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at: dclarey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: This annual Milwaukee event advocates against sexual assault. Here’s how it started
Reporting by David Clarey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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