Dear Marquette community,
This Wednesday is Denim Day, a chance for us all to take a stand against sexual violence and show support for survivors.
Denim Day traces its roots back to 1997, when a court in Italy overturned a rape sentence. At the time, the court ruled that because the teenage victim’s jeans were tight, the victim must have assisted in their removal, thereby making the sex act consensual. Enraged by the verdict, women in the Italian Parliament protested the ruling by wearing jeans to work the next day.
On April 25, millions of people around the world will wear denim to show their support. As a Catholic, Jesuit university community, it is important that we join them by making a collective statement that we will not tolerate acts of sexual violence, and that we will fully support victims when we learn of any incidents of sexual violence.
Please join us and wear jeans this Wednesday. Tell people your jeans symbolize your commitment to ending sexual violence and victim blaming. If you’re able to, please attend the university’s Denim Day observation on Central Mall at noon. Post a photo on social media tagged with #DenimDayMarquette to join the online movement.
We can make a statement against sexual violence, and working together, we can make our community safer for everyone.
Through Advocacy Services and the Title IX office, Marquette offers a variety of resources to report incidents and receive support, and we encourage you to come forth if you witness or are a victim of sexual violence. Sexual violence is a crime that affects everyone. It has no place at Marquette University and no place in our world.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Lovell
President
Daniel J. Myers
Provost
Xavier A. Cole
Vice President for Student Affairs