Denim Day, which educates the public about sexual assault, will include a lunchtime gathering with Mayor Jim Lienhoop at The Commons in downtown Columbus today.
But it also includes a chance to grab a meal at Bucceto’s Smiling Teeth Pizza & Pasta through today, with 20 percent of a special $15 ticket supporting the nonprofit, Columbus-based Turning Point Domestic Violence Services. Turning Point fights problems ranging from partner violence to domestic abuse, with a wide range of education and awareness programs.
And this event is part of the local recognition of April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Denim Day was created to engage the public through a simple means of protest by wearing jeans or other denim items, while also encouraging open dialogue about zero tolerance for sexual violence.
The local program, set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., will include an education-oriented art installation “What Were You Wearing?” at the event.
The installation pairs representative outfits worn by survivors of sexual assault and captioned with their own words. Turning Point President Lisa Shafran will speak briefly and introduce Lienhoop, who will read a proclamation at 11:30 a.m.
Members of the public can add a written, personal message about survival and healthy relationships to the jeans display.
For those who can’t make it to The Commons today, and be a part of an expected crowd of 150 to 200 people, organizers plan to live-stream the gathering on the Turning Point Domestic Violence Services Facebook page.
Overall, through the meal proceeds, donations, sales of Columbus North High School student Tateana Cutter’s Denim Day T-shirts, and companies and agencies asking employees to donate a few bucks to wear jeans to work on Wednesday, the agency hopes to raise $4,500 for the cause, said Elisabeth Jones, Turning Point’s vice president of resource development.
Last year’s Denim Day event generated $5,800 — significantly more than the $2,400 raised in 2017, Jones said.
“That was a huge leap,” Jones said.
She mentioned that organizers expect attendees on Wednesday from as many as 50 offices, organizations, churches, schools and elsewhere.
“This is something they all feel passionate about,” Jones said.
Columbus resident Tony London, whose company printed Cutter’s T-shirts, with the message “Consent is not inconvenient,” said he is especially inspired by young people’s passion about the matter.
“It’s a good eye-opener for an old guy like me to see so many things that these young people today are very concerned about,” London said.
The Denim Day campaign was triggered by a 1992 rape of a teen driving student by her driving instructor, whose rape conviction was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court. The justices said in their 1998 ruling that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying sexual consent.
The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.
Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against destructive attitudes and misconceptions about sexual assault.
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What: Free Denim Day activities in Columbus. Includes an education-oriented art display, plus remarks from Turning Point Domestic Violence Services President Lisa Shafran and Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop.
When: Main program will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.
Where: Lower level of The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
Fundraising: Dine-to-donate $15 meals will be available today through Wednesday at Bucceto’s Smiling Teeth Pizza & Pasta in The Commons. Tickets are available online at turningpointdv.org.
Information: turningpointdv.org of the Facebook page for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services.
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