From Peace Over Violence– “The theme of Denim Day 2025 is USE YOUR VOICE.
On April 30th, 2025, we encourage you to use your voice to speak out in support of survivors of sexual assault, amplifying stories, experiences, and the need for collective change. It calls for all of us to be vocal in our solidarity, whether by sharing personal stories, advocating for policies that protect survivors, holding space for those who have been affected, or wearing your denim with purpose.
Your voice is a tool that can create connection, inspire change, and make someone feel valued. Whether you’re speaking up in small, everyday ways or on a larger, more public scale, using your voice to support others fosters community and empathy.”
There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape
Since 1999, Peace Over Violence has run an inspiring and powerful campaign to practice solidarity and support survivors by renewing our commitment to exposing harmful behaviors and attitudes surrounding sexual violence. Denim Day is recognized on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court to overturn a rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove them, thereby implying consent. Following the reversal, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.
Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, what started as a local event to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into a worldwide movement.
As the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
