Never Said Yes

In Rome in 1997, an 18 year old girl was beyond excited to start her first driving lesson. Her 45 year old instructor had picked her up, and after driving by a couple of blocks, he pulled up in an alley. Never did it pass by in her mind that what would occur to her that day would ruin her. The instructor had sexually assaulted her and threatened her not to say anything or else he would kill her. Abandoned and abused in the alley, the young girl made her way home. After telling her parents what had happened, they helped her report the incident, and the case was prosecuted. The instructor was then convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

Months later, the perpetrator appealed his sentence. The case made it all the way to the Italian Supreme Court where his sentence was overturned. The instructor was then released out of jail.

"Because the victim wore very very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them... and by removing the jeans... it was no longer rape, but consensual sex." -Head Judge

Denim Day is an event in which people are encouraged to wear jeans in order to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault.

I, for one, feel very attached to this case. Not only does it sadden me to see events like these happen, but it also angers me to see so much ignorance in the world. 

A man is never told that what he is doing is wrong, instead the woman is responsible for his choices. 

For example: a young girl cannot dress a certain way because she would provoke men.

Well how about we all teach men, to keep it in their pants instead of asking me not to wear shorts even if it's 100 degrees outside.

My favorite line is "Honey,don't dress that way if you don't want to be stared at".

I love to dress the way that I do, and I sure as hell am not dressing up for anyone but myself. Sorry to inform you all that I don't dress the way I do to break a couple of necks. I dress the way I do because I feel confident and beautiful in my own skin. 

My other favorite is when you consider me a "bitch" or "stuck-up" because you are staring or complimenting me.

"Hey babe, nice ass" or "Hey baby, how about we take it to my place?" is not a compliment and you undressing me with your eyes is not flattering. In fact, it is repulsive and it makes me sick to my stomach.

So since men don't really think that there is such a thing as rape, because women are always clearly asking for it, let us discuss the difference between "yes" and "no".

CONSENT:

-Willing Participation

-Based on Choice

-Active not passive

-Based on equal power

-Only possible when neither party is incapacitated due to drug or alcohol consumption

-Is given not assumed

-Is not the absence of a no

-Is given during each experience and can be withdrawn at any point.

CONSENT IS NOT

-A drunken "yes"

-Given when one person is under the influence of substances

-Giving in because of fear

-Agreeing to sex because of fear or threats

-Purchased

-Going along in order to gain approval

-Silence

THERE IS NO EXCUSE AND NEVER AN INVITATION TO RAPE

Make a social statement with your fashion statement... WEAR JEANS WITH A PURPOSE.

Start Trends. End Violence

PEACE OVER VIOLENCE. Denim Day, 2015.

Denim: GUESS? *Official Sponsor of Denim Day 2015

Connect with the online movement to end sexual violence 

denimdayinfo.org