The 25th Denim Day celebrates progress on ending sexual violence – and reveals how far we have to go.

In 1998, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a 45-year-old driving instructor for raping his 18-year-old student because of what she was wearing. The justices determined the rape of the student was actually consensual because she was wearing tight jeans and, therefore, must have helped remove them. This became known as the “jeans alibi” and sparked outrage worldwide.

The following year, the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women (now Peace Over Violence) hosted the first Denim Day: a campaign promoting solidarity with survivors by wearing denim. Held annually on the last Wednesday in April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month), Denim Day pushes back against the harmful, inaccurate and victim-blaming myths about sexual violence, increases awareness about sexual violence and its cost to survivors and communities, and lets survivors know they are not alone.

Denim Day’s 25th anniversary is Wednesday, April 24. It is an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and also the challenges that persist. Highlights include the growing understanding and acknowledgment of the prevalence and experiences of male survivors of sexual violence; the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), which ensures protections for incarcerated survivors thoughout the U.S.; Title IX assurances for survivors seeking accountability in education; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recognition of sexual violence as both a public health issue and priority; and the longevity and success of local rape crisis centers across the United States and the world.

Though significant progress has been made since the first Denim Day, it has not been without setbacks. Reproductive rights and access to abortion care that is essential for many survivors of sexual violence are under attack; our political leaders are accused of sexual abuse; sexual violence is used as a weapon of war; the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is experiencing an extreme reduction in funds for victims’ services in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, resulting in a 43-percent cut to those funds in California.

Increasing awareness about sexual violence and resources available to survivors is as important now as ever. Since September 2016, the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center has provided 31,103 crisis intervention, accompaniment, advocacy and counseling services to 6,909 survivors and significant others. In the last almost eight years alone, MCRCC has provided services to 1.59 percent of Monterey County.

We know that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence in their lifetimes in the U.S., and Monterey County is no exception. If MCRCC is to truly be available to all survivors in our community, we have significant outreach and awareness work to continue.

You can help us by wearing denim on April 24 for Denim Day, in solidarity with survivors worldwide, letting people know they are not alone, and sharing MCRCC’s 24-hour helpline: (831) 375-4357.

Lauren DaSilva is executive director of the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center.