Wear jeans on April 28 to stop sexual violence

The City of West Hollywood encourages everyone to wear jeans on Denim Day, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, which is an internationally recognized day to raise awareness about rape and sexual assault.

Each April, the City of West Hollywood joins communities around the world to recognize National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Denim Day was founded by the nonprofit organization Peace Over Violence following a 1999 court ruling in Italy in which a rape conviction case was overturned with the argument that, because the victim had been wearing tight jeans at the time of the assault, she must have been expressing consent.

The City’s Denim Day recognition is organized each year by the City’s Public Safety Department in the spirit of uniting against sexual assault, to break the silence about sexual violence, and to stand up in support of survivors. City staff members and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Division deputies are also expected to participate in wearing denim on Denim Day.

Additionally, in recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, West Hollywood City Hall and the lanterns above Santa Monica Boulevard between N. Robertson Boulevard and Hancock Avenue in the City of West Hollywood are glowing in the color teal through Friday, April 30, 2021. The City will also participate in the worldwide social media effort marking events taking place across the globe as it continues to promote its ongoing sexual assault awareness campaign, Only Yes Means Yes, to encourage people in the community to be more aware of sexual assault and to promote a message of consent. Amplify the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month message by using the hashtags #DenimDay, #OnlyYes and #Consent.

If you or someone you care about has been a victim of sexual assault, domestic violence or intimate partner stalking, there are resources to help.

The Los Angeles County Rape and Battering Hotline, Peace Over Violence, a confidential non-judgmental resource where emotional support, advocacy, information, and referrals are available, can be reached 24-hours-a-day by contacting (213) 626-3393 or (310) 392-8381.  

The Los Angeles LGBT Center offers domestic violence/partner abuse counseling services geared toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities by contacting (323) 993-7649.

Jewish Family Service LA’s JFS Hope program provides shelter, counseling, and support to survivors of domestic violence and their children. JFS Hope also offers two 24-hour domestic violence crisis lines. Call 818-505-0900  or 323-681-2626. More information can be found at www.jfsla.org/hope.

The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), organizes the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline, a referral service that can put you in contact with your local rape crisis center. The hotline can be reached 24 hours a day at (800) 656-4673, or access RAINN’s chat feature for help at www.rainn.org.

The City of West Hollywood provides a variety of helpful tips on its website regarding safety and prevention. To find out more information, please visit www.weho.org/publicsafety. To find out more about ways to become involved with sexual assault awareness and prevention efforts and volunteer opportunities with the City of West Hollywood’s community partners, please visit www.weho.org/volunteer. For more information about Denim Day, please call the City’s Public Safety Department at (323) 848-6414. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.