23-04-2025
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.
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Utah advocates to hold 'Denim Day' rally at Library Square to raise awareness on sexual violence
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