Long Beach City College students and faculty participated in the annual Denim Day event, in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Wednesday.
Denim Day happens every year on April 26 and is a day where individuals are encouraged to wear jeans with the purpose of supporting survivors and educating others about sexual assault.
The campaign began after an Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction. The victim was wearing tight jeans during the assault and the justices concluded that the victim must have had to assist in the removal of the jeans, making the assault consensual.
The following day, women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in support of the survivor. The organization Peace Over Violence started the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it.
With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, LBCC hosted a week full of events and activities to promote awareness of sexual assault and support students.
Young Women’s Christian Association of Greater Los Angeles and LBCC Student Affairs paired up in doing a Clothesline Project and Denim Day.
There was a visual display of shirts that gave a voice to personal experiences. Students were able to create a shirt in support of survivors of sexual violence.
“This is our seventh year of collaborating with YWCA GLA and hosting Denim Day here on campus for students,” said Paolo Canteras, a coordinator from Student Health Services.
Many students and staff gathered around the quad to participate in the activities and show their support or share their stories.
Sexual assault can be a heavy topic to discuss and creating a safe place for people to share their stories is important. Students shared positive and thoughtful words at these events.
“I am so happy to see our college host events like these with YWCA GLA to support our students and let them know that they are not alone here at LBCC,” said Susana Duran, a staff member who was participating in the activity.
At the event, YWCA GLA was there to share information and provide sources with students about the organization, if they were in need of any help or resources.
“I am the sexual assault coordinator at YWCA GLA and I work with multiple colleges on providing the help for students in need of our services, we want to empower survivors with tools to help them with their healing journies,” said Yesenia Garcia, a YWCA GLA associate.
Students received guidance, aid and resources on how to grow and heal from the trauma they have experienced.