Students, staff and community organizations gathered at Cosumnes River College to recognize Denim Day, an annual event observed on the last Wednesday of April focused on raising awareness about sexual violence and supporting survivors. Held during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the event emphasized education, visibility and access to resources.
Kat Gaston, a mental health advocate with the Student Health and Wellness center, said the event centers on both education and survivor support.
“We’re here to show survivor solidarity– that we support them and we believe them,” Gaston said. “Education is the first point of change, so educating students on sexual assault is really important.”
Gaston also explained the historical significance behind the movement. She said the event traces back to a case in which a survivor’s assault was dismissed based on what she was wearing– a ruling that helped spark global awareness efforts and continues to shape Denim Day’s message today.
Denim Day originated from a 1990s court case in Italy in which a sexual assault conviction was overturned based on the argument that the victim’s tight jeans implied consent, according to the Denim Day website. The case sparked international outrage and led to a global movement reinforcing that clothing is never an excuse for assault.
“Denim Day is basically an awareness around sexual assault and sexual violence or intimate partner violence,” said Brianna Ellis, dean of student engagement and equity and Title IX officer at CRC. “It’s an acknowledgment of those who have been impacted and it sheds light on these dynamics that people are facing.”
Throughout the event, campus departments and community partners hosted tables offering information and support. Organizations such as WEAVE, the crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault standing for “When Everyone Acts, Violence Ends,” were present to provide confidential advocacy services, while the Student Health and Wellness team led outreach efforts.
Ellis said that one of the most persistent misconceptions about abuse is that it is always visible.
“I think people assume that abuse is obvious, but it might not be physical,” Ellis said. “It could be emotional or mental abuse, and it might not always be very visible that someone is navigating harmful dynamics.”
In addition to raising awareness, the event highlighted available campus support systems, including Title IX services, mental health counseling and partnerships with community organizations. These resources aim to ensure students have access to both immediate and ongoing support.
Brianna Chan, a 21-year-old alumna and current student support center clerk, said events like Denim Day help make important information more accessible.
“I feel like not everyone knows too much about sexual assault and the history of it,” Chan said. “So it’s a good way to educate students while also creating a community.”
Organizers said the goal of Denim Day goes beyond a single event. By creating space for conversations and increasing awareness, they hope to build a campus culture rooted in accountability, education and support.
Ellis said the message is not just about recognizing the issue, but about what happens next. When students understand the realities of sexual violence, know where to turn for help and feel responsible for looking out for one another, awareness turns into action and support becomes something people can actually count on.
Organizers said the event is ultimately about making sure students feel supported and heard.