Latest news with #DenimDay
Perth Now
01-05-2025
- Perth Now
Virginia Giuffre's family share final handwritten note she penned before suicide
Virginia Giuffre's family have released a handwritten note from the sexual abuse survivor which calls for 'mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers' to 'fight for the future of victims'. Giuffre, a prominent accuser of Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, was found dead at her home in Neergabby in Western Australia on Friday. The family have confirmed she died by suicide. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any allegations against him. Guiffre's sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, opted to share the note after learning survivors and supporters of non-profit Strength Through Strides had met with Senators at the US Capitol. The family of Virginia Giuffre has released her final handwritten letter which was a call to arms for abuse survivors. Credit: AAP The meeting was related to Denim Day, an American protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and rape, according to Newsweek. Roberts shared a copy of the letter on Facebook, saying: 'Hello world. We found a handwritten note that our sister Virginia wrote. 'I think it's important that the survivors know that she's with you and her voice will not be silenced. 'I know that it's so important, and her wish is that we continue to fight.' The handwritten note says: 'We are not going to go away. 'Mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers need to show the battlelines are drawn and we stand together to fight for the future of victims. 'Is protesting the answer? I don't know, but we've got to start somewhere.' Giuffre was one of the earliest and loudest voices calling for criminal charges against Epstein and his enablers. Other Epstein abuse survivors later credited her with giving them the courage to speak out. She provided critical information to law enforcement that contributed to the investigation and conviction of Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as other investigations by the US attorney for the Southern District of New York. Virginia Giuffre was a prominent accuser of Prince Andrew - who denies the allegations - and help to convict Jeffrey Epstein accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. Credit: Seven 'It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia,' her family told NBC News on Friday. 'She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. 'Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors. 'In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.' Raised primarily in Florida, Giuffre had a troubled childhood. She said she was abused by a family friend, triggering a downward spiral that led to her living on the streets for a time as a teenager. She was attempting to rebuild her life when she met Maxwell, Epstein's close confidante. Maxwell groomed her to be sexually abused by Epstein, and that abuse continued from 1999 to 2002, according to Giuffre. Giuffre also alleged that Epstein trafficked her to his powerful friends, including Prince Andrew and French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel. Epstein, a wealthy financier, died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, a former British socialite, was found guilty on five counts of sex trafficking in 2021 for her role in recruiting young girls to be abused by Epstein. Giuffre filed a federal lawsuit against Andrew in 2021, alleging that he sexually abused her when she was 17. Andrew, who stepped back from his duties as an active royal as controversy related to Epstein swirled around him, agreed to settle the case for an undisclosed amount in 2022. He has denied having sex with her. Brunel, who headed several modelling agencies, was charged with sexual harassment and the rape of at least one minor in December 2020. He denied wrongdoing and died by suicide in his jail cell in February 2022. — With AAP If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit In an emergency, call 000. Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men's Referral Service, 1300 766 491.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Rockford University raises awareness about sexual assault on Denim Day
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford University raised awareness about sexual assault and advocated for survivors on Denim Day. Denim Day is a campaign that started in 1999 after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction, claiming the victim must have helped her attacker remove her tight jeans, implying consent. Many women wore jeans the next day to show solidarity. Rockford University students strung up shirts on a clothesline along with survivors' stories on campus. One student emphasized the importance of listening to victims and eliminating assumptions around sexual violence. 'I think it's a stigma to think that a man can not be a victim when he can be. Or that a child cannot be a victim because they're too innocent, or that an older person can't be a victim because they're not attractive,' said Sandy Ruiz. I think a lot of these stigmas and stereotypes are still very much prevalent, so I think that's the first place that we need to go, is to have these different levels of people be representatives of sexual assault.' The school hosted a celebration for its women's flag football team in tandem with Denim Day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How sexual assault survivors are being supported
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) — Blue is the power color of the day at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center on Denim Day as staff members show solidarity toward sexual assault victims. The idea of Denim Day dates back to a 1999 assault case in Italy. 'There was a rape victim whose assailant was exonerated because she wore tight jeans, and the argument was, she must have assisted in some way and the assailant went free while she was a victim, and she was, in fact, raped,' said Sentara Health Chief Nursing Officer Amber Price the assault was consensual, the judge threw out the case. The next day, women in the Italian parliament showed up to work wearing denim jeans. It's now become an international show of support for those victims. Forensic nurses at Sentara Williamsburg, where they have a sexual assault nurse examiner program, are trained to not only conduct an exam but also be there emotionally for victims.'It has to do with respect,' Price said. 'It has to do with making sure that people are believed, and collecting the evidence in such a way that we're not traumatizing the patient even further.'Sentara Health Forensic Nurse Betsy Holzworth is one of those collecting that evidence.'It's hard. The patient is either in disbelief, or they have such injuries they can't really speak,' Holzworth said. 'An exam can take [anywhere from] two hours up to eight hours depending on how much they're willing to give us at that point in time. We have to stop, we have to start. You know, everything is based on how they're feeling.'Only one of her 50 cases has gone to trial, and the assailant put behind bars.'It was rewarding,' Holzworth said. 'At the start of the case, all you want to do is cry. But you don't. You come in and you're there for them. They just need some support and that's what we're there to do.'New legislation taking effect this year aims at removing barriers to seek help after an assault. House Bill 2117 allows for the collection of evidence anonymously without contacting police — giving the victim time to decide if they want to press charges. It also removes the fear of arrest of the victim for minor offenses like drug possession when seeking help.'The most important thing for us is that we can immediately treat and care for a patient,' Price said. '[It] tends to be that the longer we wait, the worse it is for everybody. We want evidence to be collected as soon as we can get it, and the victim is allowing us to collect it.' They stress the sooner a victim reaches out for help, the more likely they are to avoid lifelong trauma.'We want patients to know they're not to blame, and that there's someone in their corner,' Price said. If you or someone you know has been a victim, there are resources out there to help. Click for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
7NEWS
01-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Virginia Giuffre's family share handwritten letter the Jeffrey Epstein abuse survivor wrote before her suicide, aged 41
Virginia Giuffre's family have released a handwritten note from the sexual abuse survivor which calls for 'mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers' to 'fight for the future of victims'. Giuffre, a prominent accuser of Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew, was found dead at her home in Neergabby in Western Australia on Friday. The family have confirmed she died by suicide. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any allegations against him. Guiffre's sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, opted to share the note after learning survivors and supporters of non-profit Strength Through Strides had met with Senators at the US Capitol. The meeting was related to Denim Day, an American protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and rape, according to Newsweek. Roberts shared a copy of the letter on Facebook, saying: 'Hello world. We found a handwritten note that our sister Virginia wrote. 'I think it's important that the survivors know that she's with you and her voice will not be silenced. 'I know that it's so important, and her wish is that we continue to fight.' The handwritten note says: 'We are not going to go away. 'Mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers need to show the battlelines are drawn and we stand together to fight for the future of victims. 'Is protesting the answer? I don't know, but we've got to start somewhere.' Giuffre was one of the earliest and loudest voices calling for criminal charges against Epstein and his enablers. Other Epstein abuse survivors later credited her with giving them the courage to speak out. She provided critical information to law enforcement that contributed to the investigation and conviction of Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as other investigations by the US attorney for the Southern District of New York. 'It is with utterly broken hearts that we announce Virginia passed away last night at her farm in Western Australia,' her family told NBC News on Friday. 'She lost her life to suicide, after being a lifelong victim of sexual abuse and sex trafficking. 'Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors. 'In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.' Raised primarily in Florida, Giuffre had a troubled childhood. She said she was abused by a family friend, triggering a downward spiral that led to her living on the streets for a time as a teenager. She was attempting to rebuild her life when she met Maxwell, Epstein's close confidante. Maxwell groomed her to be sexually abused by Epstein, and that abuse continued from 1999 to 2002, according to Giuffre. Giuffre also alleged that Epstein trafficked her to his powerful friends, including Prince Andrew and French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel. Epstein, a wealthy financier, died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019 while he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, a former British socialite, was found guilty on five counts of sex trafficking in 2021 for her role in recruiting young girls to be abused by Epstein. Giuffre filed a federal lawsuit against Andrew in 2021, alleging that he sexually abused her when she was 17. Andrew, who stepped back from his duties as an active royal as controversy related to Epstein swirled around him, agreed to settle the case for an undisclosed amount in 2022. He has denied having sex with her. Brunel, who headed several modelling agencies, was charged with sexual harassment and the rape of at least one minor in December 2020. He denied wrongdoing and died by suicide in his jail cell in February 2022. — With AAP If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust. In an emergency, call 000.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Denim Day: Marching for survivors
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Chants of 'No means no!' echoed across the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday as hundreds of marchers, clad in denim, turned the city into a platform of support and solidarity for survivors of sexual assault. Angelina Rosado was among those leading the charge, her voice ringing out alongside fellow survivors and supporters. More Local News The annual Denim Day event brings people together to raise awareness about sexual violence and protest victim-blaming by wearing denim, a powerful symbol with a global history. 'My story was that I was sexually molested around the age of five or six. It was a family friend,' Rosado shared, explaining that she didn't speak about her experience until she was 23. Like Rosado, advocates and survivors addressed the crowd gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall before marching together across the bridge to Foley Square. Their stories and presence sent a strong message about the importance of breaking the silence and supporting one another. 'It would definitely have a major impact because they're seeing that we are the face of change, because we're bringing light in a place where there is so much darkness,' said Angie Martinez, another survivor. Denim Day began after a 1990s Italian court overturned a rape conviction, arguing that the victim's tight jeans implied consent because they were difficult to remove. Outraged, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in protest, sparking a movement that spread worldwide. Since then, wearing denim on this day has become a symbol of protest against harmful myths and attitudes about sexual violence. This year's event started with speeches and an all-denim fashion show, setting the tone for a day focused on education and empowerment. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Michelle Kaminsky, Chief of the Gender-Based Violence Division at the Kings County District Attorney's Office, emphasized the importance of supporting survivors in the justice system. 'So we are very much aware of this. It is part of our education of the community in terms of the cases that we bring in court and how we're constantly educating jurors, and challenging belief systems,' Kaminsky said. For Rosado, speaking out marked a turning point. Now the executive director of Sisters In Purple, she leads efforts to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. 'My story's gonna help save somebody. What I didn't realize is actually being able to speak it out loud actually freed me even more. And I'm able to stand in front of you and say it without crying,' Rosado said. As marchers crossed the bridge in their denim, they said it was more than just a march. It was a powerful message of solidarity. 'The message that I have for anyone that is experiencing sexual assault currently or has experienced it in the past is that you're not alone,' Rosado said. If you are a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, visit the Sisters in Purple website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
