Denim Day: taking a stand against sexual assault

Photo By Ana Henderson | Sexual Assault Response Coordinators Arlene Gentry (Yuma Proving Ground) and Sara Guerra (Marine Corps Air Station’s) teamed up to host a virtual Denim Day event via Facebook on April 29.  

YUMA PROVING GROUND, AZ, UNITED STATES

04.29.2020

Story by Ana Henderson 

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

A pair of denim jeans have become a symbol of support for victims of sexual assault. With April being Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month Yuma Proving Ground’s (YPG) and Marine Corps’ Air Station’s (MCAS) Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC) teamed up to host a virtual Denim Day event via Facebook on April 29.

YPG’s SARC Arlene Gentry explains the history behind the day: “The campaign began after a 1998 ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her removes her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic employees were encouraged to wear jeans to work but since most are teleworking the ladies had the idea to use social media to mark the day. “We wanted to find a way to include the community even while in quarantine, this was a great way to show support either by posting a picture wearing denim or acknowledging that you were wearing denim.”

Between the two installation’s SARC representatives their joint message reached far and wide. “We received lots of messages and posts of support for this event.”

Events such as this one are need to continue. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network reports that every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted and every year 18,900 military members experience unwanted sexual contact. These statistics show there is a lot of work to be done to stop the abuse and to help victims. “We notice that a lot of victims do not come forward or do not talk about it because they may not be aware of what services they can get or who is there to help them. So it is important to educate everyone on what resources are available to them through these awareness events. We are here and ready to help in any capacity we can,” explains Gentry.

The collaboration between advocates sends a message of a united front against sexual violence. “Working together with MCAS and local agencies has been vital to ensure we are supporting our entire military community especially during this time.”

For more information on resources call the 24/7 SHARP Helpline at [phone]. To reach Gentry’s office the YPG community can call [phone]. There is also an YPG SHARP Facebook page and a SHARP Sharepoint site.

• Date Taken: 04.29.2020
• Date Posted: 05.12.2020 15:07
• Story ID: 369729
• Location: YUMA PROVING GROUND, AZ, US