Denim Day Outreach Kit

There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape

For more than 20 years, Peace Over Violence has run its Denim Day campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a 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 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 harassment, abuse, assault and rape. In this sexual violence prevention and education campaign we ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.

Doorways serves thousands of survivors each year with a trauma-informed approach design to build on clients’ strengths and make a lasting impact in their lives. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help. Take action during SAAPM!

Wear denim and post a selfie or a group photo to social media,  tagging @doorways_va on Instagram or @doorwaysva on Twitter and Facebook. Add one of these statements to tell your friends why you’re wearing teal, and call on them to join you in creating change:

• Today, I am wearing denim for the 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men who experience sexual violence. There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape. Join me in supporting survivors by donating to @doorways_va today! #DenimDay
• The likelihood that a person suffers suicidal or depressive thoughts increases after sexual violence. Sexual violence also affects victims’ relationships with their family, friends, and co-workers. This #DenimDay, I’m wearing teal to raise awareness about the lasting impact of assault, show my support for survivors, and help reduce the stigma they face to ensure they can access the help they need to heal. Visit @doorways_va to learn more.
• Today, I am wearing denim for the 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men who experience sexual violence. If you need help, contact @doorways_va at 703-237-0881, or the national hotline (@rainn) at 800-656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. It was not your fault. You are not alone.

How to use a donation sticker to support Doorways on Instagram

If you post your photo to your Instagram Story, add a Donate Button and encourage your friends to give to Doorways and support survivors.

1. From your story, tap  to add stickers.
2. From there, you can add a donation sticker to allow people to donate to Doorways.
   • You can pin stickers to a fixed spot in your video. After taking a video, add a sticker, then tap it and hold. Use the slider bar at the bottom of the screen to scroll through the video to find where you want to pin the sticker. Move the sticker and tap Pin.
   • Rotate and resize a sticker by using two fingers to pinch and zoom.
3. After you select the donation sticker, select Doorways (@doorways_va) and customize the name of your fundraiser.
4. When people see your donation sticker in your story, they can tap Donate to donate to Doorways.
5. Swipe up on your story to see the total amount raised and donations by username.

Did you know?

• Every 92 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. (Source)
• Ages 12-34 are the highest risk years for rape and sexual assault. (Source)
• More than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lives. (Source)

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in our community, call Arlington’s 24-hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline 703-237-0881 for information and support. Please call 911 if you are experiencing a life-threatening situation. Not in Arlington? Please see alternative resources here.

How Doorways helps

Doorways’ Domestic & Sexual Violence Programs, fully accredited by the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, provide supportive and educational services. Doorways provides shelter and services to individuals and families in Arlington, Virginia, including women, men, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Learn more.

Many people aren’t aware of just how many people are impacted by sexual violence, or of the resources available to survivors and victims.

Together, we can change our community. Send emails, post to Facebook and Instagram, and tweet to your friends and followers using the sample text below to call them to action!

Sample email (Denim Day invite)

We recommend sending this as a calendar invite so your friends can accept it and save the date!

Dear friend,

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. I am planning to participate in Denim Day because there is There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape. Will you join me?

[Insert details like where to meet for a group photo]

Please RSVP by [date]. I hope to see you there!

I’m wearing teal with one of my favorite nonprofits, Doorways. Doorways provide Arlington’s only comprehensive sexual and domestic violence programs, including a 24-hour hotline, hospital accompaniment, court advocacy, counseling, and more, for survivors of all genders and ages. Visit www.doorwaysva.org to learn more about the organization.

If you can, please consider donating to Doorways to support their life-changing work: www.doorwaysva.org/donate. If you’re unable to give a financial donation, you can still make a difference by sharing this video on your facebook to help raise awareness of the critical support Doorways offers survivors: https://www.facebook.com/DoorwaysVA/videos/579887485780227/.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Sample email (support survivors during SAAPM)

Dear friend,

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Did you know the CDC found that more than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lives? Together, we can do something about it.

As you may know, I support Doorways, a local nonprofit serving survivors of sexual and domestic violence as well as youth and families experiencing homelessness. Doorways provide Arlington’s only comprehensive domestic and sexual violence programs, including a 24-hour hotline, hospital accompaniment, court advocacy, counseling, and more, for survivors of all genders and ages.

Watch this video to hear from graduates of Doorways about their experiences: www.doorwaysva.org/hear-from-our-clients.

If you can, please consider donating to Doorways to support their life-changing work: www.doorwaysva.org/donate. If you’re unable to give a financial donation, you can still make a difference by sharing this video on your facebook to help raise awareness of the critical support Doorways offers survivors: https://www.facebook.com/DoorwaysVA/videos/579887485780227/.

Thank you for your help!

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Sample Facebook posts

Did you know that more than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men experience sexual violence? This Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, join me and Doorways by wearing jeans on Denim Day to spread the word: sexual assault is not okay, victims are never to blame, survivors are not alone, and there are resources like Doorways that can help. https://www.facebook.com/DoorwaysVA/videos/579887485780227/

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, free and confidential support, info and referrals to emergency shelter, hospital accompaniment, counseling, and court advocacy are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through Doorways‘ 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at 703-237-0881. https://www.facebook.com/DoorwaysVA/videos/579887485780227/

Sample tweets

• Did you know that more than 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men experience sexual violence? This #DenimDay, join me and @DoorwaysVA to #SupportSurvivors. https://youtu.be/LmwY4Cj9YQI
• Sexual assault is never, ever the victim’s fault. During #SAAPM, join me in supporting @DoorwaysVA, @ArlingtonVA’s only sexual and domestic violence program: www.doorwaysva.org/saapm 
• Free and confidential support, info and referrals to emergency shelter, hospital accompaniment, counseling, and court advocacy are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through @DoorwaysVA 24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at 703-237-0881: www.doorwaysva.org/get-help.

Doorways is not just an organization, but a community working together to serve and empower our clients through safe shelter, housing, and supportive services. You are a critical part of our response; this life-changing work would not be possible without you. Join our cause today to find your way of making an impact with us.

• Donate now
• Fundraise for Doorways
• Volunteer
• Get your group involved
• Plus much more!

What to do if someone you know has been assaulted

“I believe you. It was not your fault. You are not alone.”

When a friend, family member or coworker discloses that they have experienced sexual violence, including rape and sexual assault, you may be the first person with whom the survivor shares their story. The assault may have happened recently or long ago. Your reaction to their disclosure is critical. There are many things you can do to support the survivor and empower them in their healing process. Here are some suggestions.