In the United States,
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights, and social justice issue that unfortunately takes place right here in our community.
Every 73 seconds an American is sexual abused.
66% of those sexually abused are between the ages of 12 and 18.
And 93% of child victims of sexual assault know their perpetrator.
Keep in mind, these statistics don't include the cases that go unreported.
[RAINN]
In order to end sexual violence, individuals need to take a stand for those who are too scared and ashamed to stand up for themselves.
In order to end sexual violence, individuals need to speak up for those who can't speak up themselves.
In order to end sexual violence, victim-blaming needs to be abolished.
In order to end sexual violence, love is respect needs to be promoted.
YOU can help make a difference in your community. So do it. Take a stand, speak up, defile the victim-blaming stigma, and preach that love is respect.
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The Violence Intervention Project does several things throughout the community each year to shed light on the issue of sexual violence and bring awareness to the community. One main event VIP coordinates throughout the month of April is the Denim Day denim displays! Area businesses will display denim jeans that are painted and decorated by survivors, supporters, students, and other community members with quotes and statements about ending sexual violence. If you would like to be involved in decorating jeans, or displaying jeans at your organization, please contact 920-487-2111.
The Denim Day campaign was originally triggered by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt since the victim was wearing

tight jeans she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. In this rape prevention education campaign we ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault. To find out how your business or organization can be involved and support VIP, please call 920-487-2111.