The following is a press release from the Glendora Police Department:
April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month. The Glendora Police Department will be participating in the Denim Day campaign on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.
All department members have been authorized to wear jeans to work on this day. Officers and civilian staff who are participating in the cause will also wear a red Denim Day button, showing support for this cause.
GPD participating in Denim Day
The Denim Day campaign began 18 years ago when Peace Over Violence began wearing jeans on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
This campaign was originally triggered 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 her rapist 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. Peace Over Violence, an organization committed to social service, social change and social justice, developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it.
Since 1999, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. One out of every six women in the U.S. has been the victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. One in six men has experienced abusive sexual experiences before their 18th birthday. Almost 2/3 of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.
In an effort to continue to raise awareness focused on preventing sexual assault, and as a way to support sexual assault survivors, the Glendora Police Department will proudly wear jeans to work on Wednesday, April 26, 2017!
“We care about those we protect and are proactive in our efforts. Today is a new day, don’t let history repeat itself. Join us by wearing jeans tomorrow.” – Lisa G. Rosales, Chief of Police
For more information on this cause, visit denimdayinfo.org
