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Raising awareness of sexual assault

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, children under the age of 12 represent 15 percent of all victims and over half of all rapes and sexual assaults go unreported.

Why? The reasons are many, but victims commonly fear that they will not be believed or that they will be blamed for the assault.

We are asking you to be a voice for these victims. You can help us put an end to victim blaming through an awareness initiative during the month of April known as Denim Day.

Denim Day is an international sexual assault prevention and education campaign that began in 1999. An Italian woman was raped by her driving instructor. The perpetrator was convicted of the crime and sentenced to prison.

At an appeal hearing, however, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction, reasoning that the victim’s jeans were too tight, that she must have removed them herself, and found that the assault was no longer rape but consensual sex.

The verdict motivated women and men throughout Italy- and eventually Europe and the U.S. – to dedicate this day to wear jeans and highlight the misconceptions surrounding sexual assault.

The Waupaca County Sexual Assault Response Team is working to raise awareness this month by encouraging participation in Denim Day on April 23.

Your participation and support would be greatly appreciated.

Sexual assault victims of can get free and confidential help at CAP Services, 101 Tower Road, Waupaca or call 715-258-9575 or the 24-hour crisis line at 800-472-3377.

Mary Lea St. Thomas
Waupaca County Sexual
Assault Response Team

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