This workshop for parents and caregivers will cover building cultures of consent starting in the family unit. Caregivers and children can practice consent in any interpersonal context, laying the foundation for healthy relationships in the teenage years and adulthood.

Facilitators: Sam, Prevention Specialist

Who can attend: Parents and Caregivers of Youth, and Youth are welcome!

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

Ways you can participate: 

• Wear denim, and share on social media - tag @ raperecoverycenter

• Support healing services and violence prevention programming by donating 

• Challenge rape myths

History of Denim Day:

The Denim Day story begins in Italy in 1992 when an 18-year-old girl was raped by the 45-year-old driving instructor who was taking her to her very first driving lesson. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, removed her jeans, and forcefully raped her.

She reports the rape, and the perpetrator is arrested and prosecuted. He is then convicted of rape and sentenced to jail. Years later, he appealed the conviction, claiming that they had consensual sex. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the sentence, and the perpetrator was released. A statement from the Court argued that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans, it was not rape but consensual sex. This became known throughout Italy as the “jeans alibi.”

Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. International media picked up this protest, which inspired the California Senate and Assembly to do the same on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence, saw this in the media and thought everyone should be wearing jeans to protest all of the myths about why women and girls are raped. Denim Day in LA was born. The first Denim Day in LA event was held in April of 1999 and has continued annually since.

https://denimday.org/

Join us for a cup of coffee with first responders, engaging in healing arts activities and listening to guest speakers, fostering community connections, and raising awareness on sexual assault. Don't miss this chance to build relationships, strengthen our community, and bring awareness to sexual assault; we hope to see you there!

Location: Pratt Aquatic Center- Aquatic Center Pavilion #2 - located at the southeast corner of the park (corner of 200 West and Vine Street)

Who can attend: Family, friends, community members, local law enforcement, EMTs, Firefighters, etc. 

On this day, we gather to end the silence and change the way we respond to sexual assault. We Start by Believing. Please join us in this global message of support for survivors. 

Take the pledge: https://startbybelieving.org/pledge/

Take the pledge to social media and tag @raperecoverycenter

“My name is _______. I pledge to start by believing when someone tells me they were abused or sexually assaulted, support survivors on the road to justice and healing, and help end the silence.”

Quick facts: In April 2011, EVAWI launched “Start by Believing,” a global campaign designed to increase awareness of sexual assault and improve societal responses to victim disclosures.

https://startbybelieving.org/start-by-believing-day/