The LEAF Coffee Break attendees wearing their denim.

All across campus, members of LITS wore denim on April 22 for Denim Day, an annual event designed to raise awareness and support for sexual assault survivors. The show of support was outstanding.

Most participants wore jeans to work but some also wore items such as denim skirts and denim jackets.

In addition to simply wearing denim and posting a photo, a few larger groups in LITS posed for photos, including all of the attendees for the LEAF Coffee Break, the IT Service Desk, and Nicole McFarland‘s entire ITIL class.

Marc Overcash, who urged the division to participate, said, “It was great to see such a positive and large turn out for Denim Day. I heard from many of you about what a great opportunity it was to show our support to raise awareness for this cause.”

The ITIL class showing their support (apologies to Brent Wiggins and Jason Hood, not pictured…crop happens).

Denim Day was inspired a 1998 Italian Supreme Court ruling, which overturned a rape conviction that asserted because the victim wore tight jeans, she must have assisted in their removal, thereby constituting consensual sex. The worldwide outrage, in which protestors wore jeans, led to an update to Italian law.

Emory’s participation in this international event was sponsored by the Respect Program and the Intimate Partner Violence Working Group.

This year, jeans manufacturer GUESS is donating $2 for every pair of jeans or jeans accessory it sells between April 20 and April 29 to the group Peace Over Violence.