Latest news with #ItalianSupremeCourt
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
30-04-2025
- Newsweek
Virginia Giuffre's Final Handwritten Note Before Death Released
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Prince Andrew's accuser left a final handwritten message to abuse survivors before her death, stating it was time to "show the battlelines are drawn." The rallying call was shared on Instagram by Virginia Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, ahead of a protest by abuse survivors on April 30, Denim Day, in Washington, D.C. Giuffre was among the most prominent women to accuse Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, and she also filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was forced in 2001 to have sex with Prince Andrew after being trafficked to London, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Prince Andrew denies the allegations. Giuffre passed away on Friday, and her family said in a statement that she died by suicide. L: Virginia Giuffre with Prince Andrew in 2001. R: Virginia Giuffre at the Women's Media Awards in New York City on October 22, 2019. L: Virginia Giuffre with Prince Andrew in 2001. R: Virginia Giuffre at the Women's Media Awards in New York City on October 22, 2019. Virginia Giuffre/for Women's Media Award Virginia Giuffre's Final Note In the note, Giuffre wrote: "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." Sky Roberts wrote on Instagram: "Hello world. we received news today that there's a protest in DC. 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. "Her words are; 'Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, and Brothers need to show the battle lines are drawn, and stand together to fight for the future of victims. Is protesting the answer? I dont know. But we've got to start somewhere.' "To all survivors and those protesting. We stand with you in solidarity and know the fight is not over!" The exact date Virginia wrote the note is not clear, but the Daily Mail reported it was found among her possessions at the home in Western Australia where she was found dead last week. Her words are being received as an endorsement of the D.C. protest. The Denim Day Protest A website for the Denim Day 5K run explains the event's history: "Denim Day, observed annually on the last Wednesday in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, stands as a powerful symbol of solidarity and awareness. "The campaign began after a troubling ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, which overturned a rape conviction based on the victim's tight jeans. "The decision implied consent, sparking outrage. In response, the women of the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work the next day in support of the victim." Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page. Do you have a question about Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@ We'd love to hear from you.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Utah advocates to hold ‘Denim Day' rally at Library Square to raise awareness on sexual violence
SALT LAKE CITY () — Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) is hosting a 'Denim Day' rally at the Salt Lake City Library Square from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. It will be an event to raise awareness for sexual violence and prevention, as sexual assault has become a growing crime in the Beehive State. Statistics from the health department say one in three women in the state will experience some form of sexual violence in their lives, which is higher than the national rate. 'Denim Day has grown into an international recognition of the need for us to invest in education and prevent violence from happening in the first place,' said Liliana Olvera-Arbon, UCASA Executive Director. The day for sexual assault awareness got its moniker as Denim Day in 1999. In the 90s, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the justices said the victim was wearing tight jeans at the time. They indicated that there would have been no way the perpetrator could've taken off her jeans without her doing it herself, insinuating there must've been consent. This absurd reasoning has become an embarrassing reminder of how quickly society is to disbelieve survivors when it comes to sexual assault. So, for more than two decades, the Denim Day campaign called for people to dress in denim to stand in solidarity with survivors and to call for action to improve responses to violence. Advocates say that the first step to taking a stand starts with believing. 'Shame and silence too often surround sexual assault,' said Dr. Jlie Valentine, a forensic nurse and advocate. 'Start by believing is more than a campaign. It's a commitment to respond with compassion and belief, not skepticism.' The change often starts with its first responders. Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said that over the years, the department has increased training for officers so that they are more sensitive about their actions when dealing with someone who's recently been through trauma. 'When there was a lack of training, there would be times where an officer would respond with a kind of interrogation style,' Redd said. But through training, he said his team has become more trauma-informed and that they're making sure the survivors are receiving the support they need. He urged the public not to hesitate when it comes to reporting a crime. Utah has also made improvements in the state's sexual assault hotline, according to Rep. Angela Romero (D). During a Wednesday morning press conference, Romero said they were able to secure $100,000 for the state's sexual assault response, adding, 'We need a little bit more because that's a 24-hour hotline.' Although the state's capital has made strides when it comes to sexual assault, it has a long way to go before it brings the harrowing statistics of sexual violence down, according to advocates and the city. They called for community action – one of which includes coming out to the Denim Day rally at Library Square on Wednesday evening. They also suggested getting involved with local rape crisis centers and supporting your local communities to let survivors know that they're not alone. Student loan borrowers at risk of garnished wages: What to know New push to limit the way SNAP benefits are used BYU legend Jimmer Fredette retires from basketball Trump signals thaw in trade war with China Utah advocates to hold 'Denim Day' rally at Library Square to raise awareness on sexual violence Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
