Every April, Penn State hosts a slate of events to highlight education and awareness against sexual assault throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Last, but certainly not least, is Denim Day, scheduled for Wednesday, April 27.

Penn State’s Gender Equity Center is encouraging the community to wear denim on Wednesday in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. The annual initiative serves as an attempt to break down stigmas associated with victim-blaming and the clothing choices of victims.

Denim Day is an international campaign that began in 1999 in response to the 1992 rape of an 18-year-old Italian student. The Italian Supreme Court ruled that because she was wearing tight jeans, the woman must have given consent. Female Italian lawmakers began wearing jeans to the workplace to protest the ruling, which was ultimately overturned. From there, Denim Day took off as a demonstration across the globe.

Those who participate are welcome to share photos using the hashtag #DenimDay2022 while tagging UPUA and the Gender Equity Center.