Message from Deputy Mayor Matt Adams | April 25, 2025
This year, for the first time, the Township of Scotch Plains is joining in “Denim Day,” as municipal employees will be urged to wear jeans on April 30 to mark the annual international event that has grown to involve more than 12 million people.
Denim Day, held the last Wednesday in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, began in 1999 as a response to an Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the 18-year-old victim, attacked by her driving instructor, was wearing tight jeans.
The court argued that because the victim's jeans were so tight, she must have helped the perpetrator remove them, implying consent. This decision sparked outrage and protests, leading to the creation of Denim Day as a symbol of protest against victim blaming and a show of solidarity for survivors of sexual assault.
The importance of Denim Day lies in its multifaceted approach to addressing the complex issue of sexual violence. It serves as a powerful visual statement. By wearing denim at town hall, we declare our staunch opposition to sexual assault as well as our unquestioning support for survivors.
This is also an important opportunity to discuss the myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual violence, such as victim blaming, which the original Italian court case exemplified.
There are many people who still hold harmful beliefs that victims are somehow responsible for their assault, often based on what they were wearing, where they were, what they were drinking or how they behaved.
Denim Day challenges these harmful narratives by emphasizing that sexual assault is never the victim's fault and that consent is essential.
This important movement also encourages open conversations about consent and healthy relationships. It prompts discussions about what consent looks like, how to communicate boundaries and the importance of respecting those boundaries.
These conversations are vital for creating a culture of respect and safety. It is my hope that Scotch Plains’ participation in Denim Day plays a role in breaking the silence and stigma surrounding sexual assault, making it easier for survivors to come forward and seek help.
Another way in which to support Denim Day is by raising funds for sexual assault services, such as hotlines, counseling, and legal assistance. These resources are crucial for survivors as they navigate the aftermath of trauma; feeling heard, believed, and supported.
You can learn more by contacting the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which has programs in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties and at the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at Rutgers University—New Brunswick. Locally, services are provided through the Union County Rape Crisis Center in Westfield at 908-233-7273.
