The Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault is collecting used denim in preparation for the upcoming Denim Day, which was founded in Los Angeles in response to an event that happened in Italy. In 1992, an 18-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a 45-year-old man, who was then convicted. In 1998, the conviction was overturned. That decision was based on the survivor’s jeans. Because they were tight, she must have helped to take them off when the assault occurred, according to the Supreme Court of Cassation.

The outrage that came about based on this ridiculous ruling prompted women to wear jeans as a show of support for survivors of sexual assault. “As the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence,” it states on denimday.org.

UCASA will be repurposing donated denim for use on Denim Day as well as donating extra items. This year’s Denim Day event is planned for April 23, but donations of denim are being accepted during this next week, April 1-8, at The Refuge Utah, 1433 E. 840 North in Orem, at Ogden’s YCC Family Crisis Center, and at the Rape Recovery Center in Salt Lake City.

According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, sexual violence in Utah is a serious public health problem affecting thousands of residents each year. Studies suggest that 19.9% of females and 6.5% of males experience rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. One in three women will experience some form of sexual violence during their lives.

“Rape is the only violent crime in Utah that is higher than the national average. In a state where other violent crimes, such as homicide, robbery, or aggravated assault, are historically half to three times lower than the national average, this is of concern,” it states at ibis.utah.gov.

Showing support for Denim Day is an important way to begin conversations and share information about these alarming statistics. Don’t forget to get out those comfy jeans and wear them on April 23.