April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month – Wear Denim with a Purpose on Wednesday, April 26.  A Mayoral Proclamation event will be held at 11:30 a.m., inside the Columbus Learning Center’s main entrance.

The public is invited to join the Office for Women extension at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC), the Feminism Club at IUPUC, and Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, Inc. for event activities.

Why Wear Denim

A ruling by the Italian Supreme Court triggered the Denim Day campaign where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices determined that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have
helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, women of the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.

Since that time, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. With this campaign, we ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing jeans on Wednesday, Apr. 26, 2017 as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault.

Lunch & Learn panel discussion

After the proclamation, take time to view the Denim Day display before heading to LC, Room 2205 for a Lunch & Learn panel discussion from 1 to 2 p.m., on the topic of bystander intervention. Panelists include:

• Dr. Sandra Miles, Director of Student Affairs, IUPUC
• Sheriff Matt Myers, Bartholomew County Sheriff
• Melanie Rasmussen, Director of Legal Services, Turning Point
• Stephanie Cunningham, Director of Prevention, Turning Point
   

Questions: Contact the IUPUC Office for Women Extension Michaela Wischmeier at micwisch@iupuc.edu.