ywrape crisis center: Denim Day in NJ 2009

On April 28, 2009, the YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center sponsored “Denim Day in NJ 2009”, a day-long observance dedicated to raising awareness about consent and the prevention of sexual violence. 
                                                                                         
The YWCA Rape Crisis Center launched Denim Day in New Jersey in April 2008. Denim Day and wearing jeans in April has been an international symbol of protest of harmful attitudes about rape since 1997, when an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. After the decision, women in the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans to work. This April marks the 11th year Denim Day has been observed in the U.S.

The Rape Crisis Center’s efforts focused on educating students in high schools and colleges in Bergen County about the issues of consent, healthy relationships, and the prevention of sexual violence. Over 50 high schools and colleges were invited to participate, and RCC advocates provided education and assistance during observances held by Teaneck, Hackensack, Mahwah, Tenafly and Lyndhurst High Schools. All invitees were provided with access to an online toolkit filled with information, ideas and materials for raising awareness and organizing special events. Denim Day Toolkit Click Here.

YWCA and FDU Sponsor “Denim Day” Service Providers Forum
The YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center, in partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Nubian Ladies and Black Men’s Alliance, sponsored a service providers forum on April 28th in observance of “Denim Day in NJ 2009”. A panel of representatives from organizations involved in the field of victim services shared their views on the issues of consent and perpetrator prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence against women. They also fielded questions from the audience of FDU students and community members.

New Jersey Assemblywoman Valerie Vanieri-Huttle opened the discussion with an update on the status of a joint resolution before the New Jersey State General Assembly and Senate that would designate April 28 each year as a day to promote sexual assault awareness throughout the state. Bonne O’Flanagan, Executive Assistant to Project Specialist for Senator Frank Lautenberg, also spoke about the senator’s advocacy for reducing violence against women and his sponsorship of the Lautenberg Amendment, which bans the ownership of guns by individuals convicted of misdemeanor or felony domestic violence.




Denim Day Service Providers Forum panel members (L to R): Jhon Velasco, Center for Non-Violence at Montclair State University; Steve Oreski, Program Development Coordinator, New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA); Jane Cleary, SANE/SART Coordinator, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office; Lori Razzetti, Advocacy Coordinator, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Office of Victim/Witness; Jessica Shields, Sexual Health Educator/Trainer, Planned Parenthood of Greater Northern New Jersey; Lil Corcoran, Associate Executive Director, Shelter Our Sisters; James Kenny, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Fairleigh Dickinson University; and Sian Millard, Outreach Coordinator, Bergen County Department of Human Services, Division of Alternatives to Domestic Violence.

Panico Salon Joins Forces with High School Student to Host “Denim Day” Fundraiser  
Panico Salon & Spa collaborated with a North Caldwell high school student to host a week-long fundraiser in conjunction with “Denim Day in NJ”. Proceeds benefit the YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center, which sponsors “Denim Day” annually on April 28th.

Alana Goodman, a senior at West Essex Regional High School, worked with the Rape Crisis Center this year to raise local awareness about the issue of sexual assault and the organization’s services as part of an independent study program. She enlisted Panico’s support and worked with salon staff to organize the first fundraiser held simultaneously in all three of Panico’s New Jersey locations.

Staff in the Ridgewood, Oradell and West Caldwell salons created special Denim Day displays, provided clients with educational flyers and sold handmade denim pins to raise close to $1,000 to support the Rape Crisis Center’s advocacy services.