Thriving Hearts observes Denim Day April 30

The month of April is known as National Sexual Assault Awareness month. Thriving Hearts Crisis Center (THCC) formerly Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter encourages the public to join the global sexual assault awareness movement.

On April 30, Denim Day, wear jeans with purpose to join the millions raising awareness about sexual assault and educating about the misconceptions surrounding it.

The Denim Day story began in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by the 45-year-old driving instructor who was taking her to her very first driving lesson. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, removed her jeans and forcefully assaulted her.

She reported the sexual assault, and the perpetrator was arrested and prosecuted. He was then convicted of rape and sentenced to jail. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming that the sex was consensual, leading the Italian Supreme Court to overturn the conviction and release the perpetrator.

A statement from the Court argued that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to help remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not rape but consensual sex.

The women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. This protest was picked up by international media which inspired the California Senate and Assembly to do the same on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. Thus, Denim Day was born. The first Denim Day event was held in April 1999 in Los Angeles and has continued annually since.

THCC asks community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement by wearing jeans on this day to raise awareness and help educate about sexual violence.

Join THCC for Denim Day events:

• Denim Day, Seguin Central Park Downtown, 201 S Austin St., Seguin, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Denim Day, Cibolo Multi-Event Center, 200 S Main St., Cibolo, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.