Denim Display
Tuesday April 16 – Wednesday April 17
10am-2pm
Norlin Quad
Check out the display of jeans and denim patches decorated in honor of victims and survivors of gender violence.
Bake Sale: Pastries Against the Patriarchy
Thursday April 18
9am-1pm
Outside the VAC
Buy some yummy Voodoo Donuts from the Gender Justice League to raise funds to support MESA (Moving to End Sexual Assault). Only $5!
Denim Days is a transnational movement aimed at combatting sexual violence, particularly the victim blaming that often accompanies it. The movement was inspired by a case where a woman was sexually assaulted by her driving instructor during her very first lesson. While he was originally arrested and prosecuted, it was overturned by the Court, with the Chief Justice arguing that the victim wore very tight jeans, and therefore would have had to help remove them consensually. There are numerous examples even on this campus when victims of sexual assault are held entirely or partially responsible for the harm that befell them.
Denim Days was first celebrated on CU’s campus in Spring 2011. It was organized by seniors in Women and Gender Studies who were working on a multi-strategy approach to addressing sexual violence on campus. The last few years, the Gender Justice League has sponsored what has become a week of activism with the support of volunteers and various organizations on campus, such as CAPS and OVA.
Denim Days has several different goals. First, to create awareness around the issue of gender-based violence, in particular sexual violence, on campus. Second, to challenge rape culture and victim blaming. Third, to provide resources or information about resources to members of the community.