Denim Day started as a reaction to a 1998 Italian Supreme Court of Appeals ruling that overturned a 45-year-old man’s rape conviction.  The Court claimed that since the 18-year-old victim was forced to help the rapist remove the very tight jeans she was wearing, he couldn’t have raped her–it must have been consensual sex.

Within a matter of hours, women in the Italian Parliament protested and came to work dressed in jeans.  The protests spread to the United States, and the first Denim Day was recognized in April 1999, and continues to be recognized every April.

Here at Caring House, we recognize Denim Day by wearing jeans to work.  We also have Denim Day pins that we have been handing out as a reminder that there is no excuse for rape and that no clothing serves as an invitation to rape.

There is no excuse.  Ever.