In Hot Springs, throughout Arkansas and across the world, millions of people will wear jeans with a purpose to show that there is no excuse and never an invitation to harass, abuse, assault, rape!

HOT SPRINGS, AR (APRIL 24, 2024) -- On April 24, 2024, millions around the world will join Peace Over Violence’s Denim Day, the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign. In its 25th year, the campaign message remains consistent: There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape. Denim Day calls on all individuals, institutions and elected officials to challenge destructive attitudes and myths that surround sexual violence.

“The Denim Day campaign is a call to action for all of us,” said Patti Giggans, Founder of Denim Day and Executive Director of Peace Over Violence. “Wearing jeans is a symbol of protest and a message of solidarity with survivors. Every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted in America - and often the victim is blamed. The Denim Day campaign is designed to challenge all of us to change our thinking about sexual assault and our relationship violence and rape, and to inspire everyone to prevent interpersonal violence in our homes, schools, and communities.”

For the last 25 years, the Denim Day campaign has inspired and mobilized individuals, communities and institutions by providing tools, messaging and an accessible call to action: wearing jeans with a purpose. Denim Day recalls an Italian Supreme Court case that sparked international outrage when a judge overturned a lower court’s conviction of a rapist because the victim wore jeans. The judges ruled that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker remove them, thus implying consent.

This campaign seeks to inspire individuals to believe and support survivors, to challenge rape culture, and to protest destructive attitudes surrounding sexual assault.

The United Way of the Ouachitas is encouraging individuals to wear jeans with a purpose on the 24th. Share your photos with us on social media using the hashtag. #UWDenimDay #DenimDay #LiveUnited