Dressed in solidarity: MSU community unites for Denim Day

Every April, jeans become a global uniform for survivors and allies, serving as a visible act of solidarity with those who have experienced sexual assault. By wearing denim on Wednesday, April 29, Spartans will join a collective global movement dedicated to advocating the importance of consent, honoring survivors and actively creating a culture rooted in respect.

Denim Day traces its origins to a 1992 ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, which overturned a sexual assault conviction, claiming the victim’s tight jeans and her being forced to help remove them implied consent. Enraged by the reversal, the women of the Italian Parliament held a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. The movement spread, and the first Denim Day event was held in Los Angeles in April 1999 and has continued annually ever since.

Denim Day also coincides with the conclusion of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which occurs every April. This year marked a 25-year milestone of organized advocacy, honoring the history of the movement while persisting in continued work toward prevention and supporting survivors. At MSU, that work is measured by the Know More Survey, a multi-year project since 2019 that centers the voices and experiences of students, faculty and staff by exploring experiences with relationship violence and sexual misconduct, or RVSM; workplace incivility; help-seeking; and overall perceptions of campus climate.

While the survey shows a decline in sexual assault from the 2022 survey, it reveals that harassment remains prevalent, affecting nearly two-thirds of undergraduate cisgender women and over two-thirds of transgender and nonbinary students during the 2024-25 academic year. These figures highlight why MSU’s broader efforts, like requiring all students, faculty and staff to complete mandatory RVSM prevention training, remain vital.

Denim Day is a visible way to highlight this commitment. Spartans are encouraged to wear jeans or other denim items of clothing and use the hashtag #DenimDay and tag @MSUCenterforSurvivors on Instagram and Facebook to show their support.

Supporters can also consider donating to campus resources like the Center for Survivors, established in 1980, which provides free counseling and advocacy services for individuals impacted by sexual assault, sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking. In addition, the MSU Sexual Assault Healthcare Program, launched in November 2020, offers free, comprehensive post-assault medical care. Monetary donations can be made to the Center for Survivors’ General Fund or items can be donated to the center’s Amazon Wishlist, which contains essential items that stock the self-care closet and are available to all clients.

The journey from a 1992 Italian courtroom to the daily work happening across Michigan State University’s campus shows the enduring power of solidarity. It reflects a shared commitment to creating a community free from harassment, sexual misconduct and relationship violence. While the work continues, the support of programs like the Center for Survivors and the Prevention, Outreach and Education Department as well as efforts like the Know More Survey ensure that no Spartan need navigate their healing journey alone. Every piece of denim, social post, donation or conversation helps build a safer, more supportive MSU.