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25 YEARS


Over the last 25 years, Denim Day has reached over one hundred million individuals. People in all 50 states and in over 100 countries have worn jeans on purpose. This campaign along with other movement organizing has empowered victim/survivors, created allies, influenced legislation, educated the jury pool, motivated high school and college students, and gave voice to those who had been silenced. Our goal has been to encourage people to wear jeans with purpose, support survivors, educate yourself and others, and challenge rape culture and mysogynistic victim blaming.


Changes have been made over the last 25 years. All of us together have influenced the rise of legal reform and legislative action to increase services and protection for survivors. We have exposed rape kit backlogs and cleared or reduced backlogs all over the country. Increased technology has helped survivors share their stories, seek services, and report crimes if they choose. Denim Day has created space for more conversations about sexual violence. We have seen the rise of #metoo, the upheaval in the entertainment and industry and sports including the Olympics, etc. The court victories of E. Jean Carroll would not have been possible without these movements and efforts including Denim Day for survivors' truths to be told and to be believed. We experience more and more youth having conversations about building healthy relationships, setting boundaries, and prioritizing consent. Increased awareness has exposed the depth and breadth of sexual violence in our country and around the world. Rape is acknowledged as a weapon of war. Rape and intimate partner violence can impact everyone in every community. With better data, we now know communities of color, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, migrants, incarcerated persons are disproportionately impacted and vulnerable. Unfortunately, our work is not done.


Without your participation in Denim Day, we would not have had the impact on society that we have brought about together. The campaign has grown with you and you have grown the campaign - together we have questioned, confronted and changed culture. We have shifted the way people think about sexual violence, the most hidden trauma and crime. We have challenged behaviors that contribute to rape culture. We have educated and advocated and spread awareness about all forms of violence - and have worked toward the prevention of violence in the first place.


We must continue to work together. Sexual violence will end through the efforts of all of us.

The day after our successful Denim Day, the Harvey Weinstein rape conviction was overturned by the NY Appeals Court due to a mistake. This is a reminder that our work is not done. Let’s keep going and turn our outrage into organizing, action, and solidarity.

2024 Highlights

Press Conference & Rally at LA City Hall


On Denim Day, April 24th, POV hosted a rally and press conference on the lawn of LA City Hall. The event was a huge success and attended by hundreds of local supporters, leaders, survivors, and community members who gathered in solidarity in the city where Denim Day was born 25 years ago. Music by Mariachis Lindas Mexicanas both started and ended the inspirational program, which was emceed by POV Executive Director/CEO and Founder of Denim Day, Patti Giggans.


PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED:

  • Patti Giggans, Denim Day Founder and CEO/Executive Director, POV

  • Lindsey Horvath, LA County Board of Supervisors, District 3

  • Hilda Solis, LA County Board of Supervisors, District 1

  • Ayesha Iqbal Perry, Speaker and Women’s Advocate

  • George Gascon, District Attorney, Los Angeles County

  • Antonio Villaraigosa, 41st Mayor of Los Angeles

  • Rita Garcia, Survivor Speaker, TransLatin@ Coalition

  • Eunisses Hernandez, LA City Councilmember District 1

  • Heather Hutt, LA City Councilmember District 10

  • Traci Park, LA City Councilmember District 11

  • Hydee Feldstein Soto, LA City Attorney

  • Empowerment Self Defense Demo - Yvette Lozano, Chief Program and Operations Officer, POV


During the program, Supervisor Hilda Solis presented POV with a $50,000 check to support our Youth Over Violence programming. The event also featured denim healing arts activities by our partner HaGomel, coffee by WAFI, pastries by Peace of Cake, giveaways from Thrive Causemetics, a Denim Day photobooth, merch and more! Thank you to all who attended making this in person event a huge success.

Gear Up for Denim Day 2024 Event


On Thursday, March 28th we held a GEAR UP Launch party for Denim Day 2024. This year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the campaign and we were happy to gather together to launch Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), celebrate 25 YEARS of Denim Day impact, and recognize 25 Champions for Change!

Almost 100 people donning their denim gathered at the POV Metro Headquarters which was fully decorated for the Denim Day fete. We had a photobooth, a Denim Day archive with 25 years of materials for guests to peruse, giveaways, a giant pledge for people to sign, Denim Day branded dinner and dessert, a Denim Day merch shop, special guests and and an inspiring program…


Read the full recap


Denim Day Around the US & the World


We are always so inspired to see Denim Days happening locally and all over the world. There were Denim Days in China, Jordan, South Africa, Nigeria, Italy, India, Croatia - and more! From college campus activations, to military bases, to corporate events, and individuals sharing online, the power of the movement connects us all. Denim Day California was celebrated in Sacramento with our partners ValorUS. And, we continued our bi-coastal partnership with Denim Day New York City which hosted Denim Day across all five boroughs, with a culmination event walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. POV staff and volunteers participated in tabling events all over Los Angeles spreading awareness. So many survivors shared their stories with us and with others, joining in solidarity and empowerment. Thank you to everyone who sent us pictures, shared testimonials, tagged us on social…this campaign thrives with and because of you!


The Denim Day Pledge


This year, thousands of individuals from across the globe took the pledge representing hundreds of thousands of participants. Thank you to those who participated and took the pledge, and shared responses to the question: why will you wear denim?


Here are a few of the responses we received:


“To stand in solidarity with survivors, to spread awareness about sexual assault. Even if it is one person at a time, I WILL make a change in the way our societies treat victims of sexual violence.”


“I first publicly identified myself as a rape survivor on the very first Denim Day in LA. It was scary, but it changed my life to release this secret and know I wasn’t alone! Very proud of POV’s work, and I hope by continuing to support Denim Day to help others get the same benefit.”


“I will wear denim to support those whose voices weren't heard so that I can help give them their voice back by bringing awareness. My social fashion statement will show my students that I am ally and willing to learn more and educate others and violence prevention.”


“For the younger version of me that thought that being raped was my fault.”


“I wear denim today to support my daughter, and others who have been sexually assaulted. I wear denim today to raise awareness of the trauma that results from sexual abuse. I wear denim to demand that we all do better when supporting survivors. I wear denim to let assailants know that I will not tolerate their behaviors or excuses.”


It’s not too late to take the pledge! Denim Day messages are year round strong. Take the pledge now and save the date for Denim Day 2025 - Wednesday, April 23rd!


Denim Day on Social Media


This year, we saw incredible reach on social media! The campaign really took off with the support of influencers and followers sharing Denim Day messages across the world. We were so inspired to see content created that shared the history of the campaign and messages surrounding sexual violence education and consent. We really felt the power of the online community and reached tens of millions of accounts throughout April.


Social media highlights:


And some of share-worthy TikToks:


Fundraising


We are so grateful to all of the donors for Denim Day 2024! Our Dollars for Denim campaign included a successful text to donate component in addition to our other fundraising opportunities this year. Financial contributions help ensure that we can continue to provide access to services for sexual assault survivors, including our 24-hour hotline, free counseling and healing services, legal and support groups, and youth violence prevention and engagement. Donations also help underwrite the costs of producing and distributing educational materials.


It’s not too late to give! Support healing services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Give Today!

Denim Day Swag


Denim Day materials have always played a large role in our campaign, from a virtual action kit with downloadable materials to a variety of buttons, T-shirts, hats, etc. We love seeing supporters gear up for Denim Day! This year, we added some new products and bundles and they were a huge hit, with many of our items selling out! But don’t worry - lots of Denim Day and POV items are still available in our store. As we know, the messages of the campaign and all of our materials are relevant and fashionable all year round! Check out what is currently available here!


Denim Day would not be possible without the support of our sponsors

Denim Day 2025 is Wednesday, April 23 2025!


Join millions of people across the world that will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence.

Thank you! 


— the POV Denim Day 2024 team

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