đź‘–Thank you to everyone who participated!đź‘–
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** Thank you!
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Thank you to everyone who participated in Denim Day 2022, making this campaign a success! With your participation and support, we were able to reach millions of individuals all over the world, increasing our reach and impact. In our 23nd year, the campaign continues to spread messages of violence prevention and activitsim, and to educate on issues surrounding all forms of sexual violence. We could not have done it without you!
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This year, we went back to the roots of the campaign and some of our original messaging with the theme: there is STILL no excuse and never an invitation to rape. This message remains relevant - and critical - today. We are so inspired by all of the testimonies, stories, photos and reports of Denim Days all over the world. Denim Day is a movement that continues to get stronger and gain momentum.
Together we are working toward a world without violence.
SEE THE FULL RECAP ([link removed])
** 2022 Highlights
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Photo by Manny Solis
** Press Conference at City Hall
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Denim Day 2022 kicked off with a news conference at Los Angeles City Hall, led by Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez ([link removed]) , and City Councilmembers Nithya Raman ([link removed]) and Monica Rodriguez ([link removed]) , joined by Peace Over Violence Executive Director/CEO Patti Giggans and Michelle, a survivor of child sexual abuse, to proclaim April 27th Denim Day in Los Angeles.
Check out the recording of the press conference here! ([link removed])
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** Denim Day Rally
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Following the press conference, we planned for our first in person gathering in several years on the lawn of City Hall. Due to circumstances out of our control, the rally had to be moved at the last minute across the street outside the LAPD building. Thanks to the LAPD for their generosity in supporting this, and to all of the participants and supporters who showed up - and stayed! - in solidarity. We were still able to have an amazing and inspirational program, including colleagues from our sister rape crisis agencies, youth from our programming, and Former Mayor of LA Antonio Villaraigosa! The program ended with one of our POV Youth Violence prevention specialists sharing a poem she wrote for Denim Day ([link removed]) , and then attendees sharing why they wear denim. It was a powerful event!
PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED:
Patti Giggans, Denim Day Founder and CEO/Executive Director, POV
Antonio Villaraigosa, 41st Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, Co-Chairman and Partner at Actum, LLC & POV Advisory Board Member
Mike Bayless, President, POV Board of Directors
Sandra Henriquez, CEO, ValorUS
Michelle, Voices Over Violence Survivor Speakers Bureau
Sharon Shelton, Chief Operating Officer, YWCA of Greater Los Angeles
Kim Goldberg-Roth, Executive Director, Strength United
Barbara Kappos, Executive Director of East Los Angeles Women’s Center
Patima Komolamit, Program Director, Center for the Pacific Asian Family
Wendy Blanco, Director of Counseling Services and Trauma Recovery, POV
Julia Francisco, Youth Violence Prevention Specialist, Senior at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex
And community members sharing why they wear denim!
You Asked for It - a poem by Julia Francisco-Rodas ([link removed])
ICYMI you can see the full video from the rally here! ([link removed])
** April Activities
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We are always so inspired to see Denim Days happening locally and all over the world. From college campus activations, to military bases, to corporate events, and individuals sharing online, the power of the movement connects us all. This year, we continued our bi-coastal partnership with Denim Day New York City ([link removed]) and were happy to connect pre-Denim Day with an Instagram Live ([link removed]) promoting the campaign and activities for people to get involved with. We participated in tabling events all over Los Angeles spreading awareness. We were contacted by an organization, Womandla ([link removed]) , in Zimbabwe and were able to help them with their Denim Day on the ground and virtually. We received pictures from an Army base in Puerto Rico and their Denim Day. Even the CDC mentioned us in their newsletter
([link removed]) ! 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!
We love to see what you are doing in your community! Send us an email at
[email protected], tag us on social, and use #denimday.
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** The Denim Day Pledge
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This year we brought back our Denim Day pledge! Over 1,000 individuals 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:
I stand in solidarity with the right of women and people worldwide to wear whatever they want and act however they want without fear of sexual or other assaults. A person's freedom of expression is never an invitation to have their rights violated or to be abused.
To amplify and bring attention to victims of sexual assault and violence particularly Black girls and women as well as the LBGTQ+ community who have been victimized in alarmingly high numbers
To stand alongside survivors, including myself, and make sexual education a human right not something to hide or brush over.
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 2023- Wednesday, April 26th! ([link removed])
** Denim Day on Social Media
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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. TikTok videos were a new addition to the campaign this year and 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. Check out a few of our favorite videos below and search #denimday for more inspiration!
The history of Denim Day

Thank you to @eldiamani ([link removed]〈=en) for creating this (now viral) video and all of its contributors @ourvibesmedia ([link removed]) @thesweetcarols ([link removed]) @grunge.granny ([link removed]) and @riatirre ([link removed]) for participating and spreading the word about Denim Day and how it started!
Watch it, like it, share it! ([link removed])
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Did I Say Yes
@betterhere ([link removed]) on TikTok started this creative trend, and it’s taking off. We love the message of active consent and seeing how people are sharing this!
Watch it, like it, share it! ([link removed])
** Fundraising
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This year we continued utilizing a peer-to-peer crowdfunding option to our fundraising efforts. Transforming our “Dollars for Denim” grassroots campaign into an online one allowed individuals to sign up for fundraising teams and virtually recruit their networks to support the campaign. Shout out to our top teams: OCONN Human Rights and Action LC, Pomfret School, Brophy Advocacy Club, and Flagler County— and all of the teams and donors for Denim Day 2022! Financial contributions help underwrite the costs of producing and distributing educational materials. They also 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.
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** Denim Day Swag
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Denim Day materials have always played a large role in our campaign, from providing downloadable materials, a virtual action kit, a variety of buttons, t-shirts, etc., we love seeing supporters gear up. This year we added some new swag with the messaging of the campaign and it was a huge hit, with many of our items selling out! But don’t worry - we are currently restocking and Denim Day materials will be back in our store soon. As we know, the messages of the campaign and all of our materials are relevant and fashionable year round! Check out what is currently available here! ([link removed])
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Save the Date
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** Denim Day 2023 is Wednesday, April 26th!
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Support healing services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
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www.peaceoverviolence.org
CONTACT
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