By Emma Longwell, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
Most days, denim is just fabric. On April 30th, it becomes a statement.
The City of Apopka has officially proclaimed April 30th as Denim Day, marking its fifth consecutive year participating in the national awareness campaign aimed at ending sexual violence and supporting survivors.
Related: Harbor House is a true community partner in eradicating domestic violence.
At the City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 16th, Mayor Bryan Nelson read a proclamation declaring the date in coordination with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The proclamation highlighted the ongoing impact of sexual violence, the importance of education, and the symbolic power of wearing denim in protest of victim-blaming.
The origin of Denim Day traces back to 1999, when Italy’s Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans – implying consent. The ruling sparked international outrage and inspired a global campaign that reclaims denim as a symbol of protest.
PHOTO BY ISABEL LECOMPTE (@ISASBEL.LECOMPTE), INTERNING PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE APOPKA VOICE.
"Whereas the shocking reality is that one in four women and one in 26 men will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime,” Nelson said, quoting directly from the official proclamation.
Lui Damiani, executive director of the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, spoke after the proclamation and emphasized the severity of the issue in the region.
"We’re the only rape crisis center in all of Central Florida,” Damiani said.
The Victim Service Center, now in its 26th year, provides free services to survivors, including crisis response, forensic exams, and over 3,500 individual therapy sessions in the past year alone.
PHOTO BY ISABEL LECOMPTE (@ISASBEL.LECOMPTE), INTERNING PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE APOPKA VOICE.
Damiani urged community members to participate in the April 30th campaign by wearing jeans, taking a photo, and posting it to social media using the hashtag #DenimDay. Participants will join major cities and counties across Central Florida, and over 100 businesses have committed to raising awareness and challenging harmful narratives.
Apopka city employees will participate by donning denim and posing for a group photo on City Hall’s front steps. That night, the building will be lit in teal – the official color of sexual assault awareness.
The initiative turns a common piece of clothing into a tool for public awareness, demonstrating that, on Denim Day, denim becomes more than fabric; it becomes part of the message.
