The Oswego County Health Department joined Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. (OCO) Services to Aid Families Program (SAF) in wearing denim on Wednesday, April 26 to help raise awareness about sexual violence issues and support its survivors.

In 1999, Patricia Giggans, executive director of Peace Over Violence (formerly LA’s Commission on Assaults Against Women), designated the last Wednesday in April, which is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, to mark Denim Day in support of sexual assault survivors.

The worldwide campaign began after an Italian court overturned a rape conviction. The argument was that the victim was wearing tight jeans, implying that she must have helped the perpetrator remove them, therefore giving consent. In response to this, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work in solidarity with the victim and the movement has since grown into an international campaign.

OCO’s SAF 24-Hour Crisis Hotline is free and provides confidential support services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and other crimes. Call 315-342-1600 to speak with an Oswego County-based advocate.

OSWEGO COUNTY SUPPORTS WORLDWIDE CAMPAIGN – Staff from the Oswego County Health Department wore denim in solidarity with victims of rape and sexual assault on the 24th anniversary of Denim Day. Pictured seated from left are Brittany Ferguson, Kylene Fletcher and Meghan Allison. Pictured standing from left are Debbi Murray, Joshua Payne, Cindy McCollum, Sherry Crisafulli, William Beaudry, Emily Hinman, Tammy Thompson, Shawn Ellixson, Kelli King, Nazanin Anwary and Peter Williams.