• By Dewanna Hamlin
• Posted Thursday, April 18, 2024

Bridges to Hope to observe Denim Day to support sexual assault survivors

Bridges to Hope Family Justice Center will observe Denim Day on Tuesday, April 30 in support of survivors impacted by sexual assault and to bring awareness to attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate sexual violence.

The campaign began in 1999 after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing “tight jeans”, she must have helped the perpetrator remove her jeans, implying consent. The following day the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.

The Child Abuse Prevention Month Ring Out will also be observed on the same date as a community-side event recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month at noon. This event will take place at noon, in front of the Forsyth County Department of Social Services Building.

Locally, survivors of sexual assault can seek help from the Bridges to Hope , which serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child maltreatment, elder abuse and human trafficking.

Bridges to Hope is located at 725 Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem. It’s open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and can be reached at (336) 776-3255.