April 23, 2024
Denim Day, which takes place on the last Wednesday of every year, is an event the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at High Point University likes to honor. The chapter holds this Denim Day event in support of raising awareness for sexual assault survivors.
Considering the sorority's philanthropy is domestic violence, Denim Day is the perfect way for Alpha Chi to raise awareness for sexual assault as well as tie it into their philanthropy work.
It can be confusing as to why denim is involved with the heart-heavy topic of sexual assault. It goes back to 1998 in Italy. A young girl of only 18 years, was sexually assaulted by her older driving instructor. The girl was wearing a pair of jeans.
Her assaulter used the argument that it was “consensual” sex because her jeans were way too tight to take off without her own assistance. The sentence was overturned just a year after the perpetrator had gone to jail.
Women all over Italy came together in support of the girl when news of her attacker’s release traveled, wearing jeans to protest the overturning of his sentence.
25 years later, Alpha Chi is keeping the fight for sexual assault awareness alive.
The sorority hosts a Denim Day event that consists of jean painting, pins, and a little information about why they honor Denim Day.
Julia Koshivos, VP of Philanthropy for AXO is organizing this year's Denim Day event.
“To me, Denim Day means honoring all the survivors who have ever been a victim of sexual assault. It is a day to remember and remind everyone that No means No," said Koshivos.
Alpha Chi is in close contact with The Carpenter House located in High Point, a place for women seeking safety from domestic violence situations.
During their two philanthropy weeks, one in October and one in February, the sorority donates all their earnings, from food drives, fundraisers or clothing drives, straight to The Carpenter House to support the women who were brave enough to escape and talk about their situations.
Being on a college campus, it’s unfortunate that sexual assault cases are very common.
According to the HPU annual fire safety and security report there were 18 reported cases of rape in both 2021 and 2022 on HPU’s main campus. This topic of sexual assault is more relevant now than ever and Denim Day is the perfect way to spread awareness.
This year, the AXO event has lined up booths with other organizations to talk about Denim Day.
“SGA, Panther Prevention and Title IX will have booths with various activities and giveaways as well as flyers with information on the day itself,” said Koshivos.
Koshivos hosted a jean painting event last week where girls were able to write and draw positive messages on a pair of jeans. The jeans will be displayed in the Alpha Chi booth on Denim Day.
The issue of sexual assault is not a new topic on college campuses, but having a Denim Day event to honor survivors is a good way to encourage others to speak out and get help.
Many cases of sexual assault on college campuses get swept under the rug, which discourages a lot of victims to speak up and ask for help.
Even in the case that inspired Denim Day, the victim's assaulter got off with an earlier sentence going against her entire claim.
It’s disappointing to see sexual assault cases not handled with urgency, but that is why Alpha Chi wants to spread their message.
“I hope to have more events in the future where discussion of sexual assault and domestic violence are brought to light to educate more people on something that is so prevalent, especially on a college campus,” said Koshivos.
Make sure to check out the event and learn more about sexual assault prevention.
Denim Day will take place on April 24 at the Slane basketball courts.