From members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Michael J. Murphy, Alderman Mark A. Borkowski, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
Today, Wednesday April 27, 2022 marks the 11th annual Denim Day Milwaukee. We stand in solidarity with those affected by sexual assault.
Denim Day began after a 1998 Supreme Court ruling in Italy. An 18-year-old woman was raped by her driving instructor. He was convicted and jailed but appealed the sentence and later the sentence is overturned because the Chief Judge believed that, since the victim wore very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, therefore making the act consensual. Outraged by the verdict, women in Parliament wore denim jeans in solidarity. Twenty-four years later, the movement has spread worldwide and has sparked countless discussions on sexual violence and abuse.
Sexual assault and domestic violence can happen to anyone, by anyone. Survivors are all genders, races, sexual orientations and identities, ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic classes. Every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. Supporting victims and survivors is one of the most important ways allies can help those effected begin to heal. Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. Each year, the Milwaukee Denim Day Committee focuses on a group of survivors in order to raise more awareness and support. This year, they are focusing on the Native Community.
As Council members, we are committed to protecting victims, supporting survivors and holding abusers accountable. Many of us have served on (or currently are on) the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and utilize our resources in order to advocate for victim safety, educate others and ourselves on intervention and prevention methods and implement producers to improve resources for those effected by domestic and sexual violence. We urge all residents to wear denim in solidarity with victims and survivors of sexual assault.
If you or someone you know is in need of help or support, here are a few resources that could help:
Provides domestic violence prevention and intervention services, and an array of support aimed at helping families affected by domestic violence achieve safety, justice and well-being.
Text: (414) 877-8100
Located at:
619 W. Walnut St.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
