On April 29, College of the Desert and Partners Against Violence recognized Denim Day on the Palm Desert campus.
Denim Day is an annual event for supporting victims of sexual violence and providing education on sexual violence prevention and safety. COD students were encouraged to wear denim to school to show their support.
Tables were set up around the Fountain of Knowledge with educational material and information about services at COD and within the community, such as St. John’s Indio Health Center, the COD Basic Needs Center and the COD Public Safety Department.
At the Partners Against Violence table, students could take educational pamphlets with information on topics like setting boundaries, survivor services and “the Red Zone,” a period from August to November when college campuses see a rise in sexual assaults. A large poster board gave further information on consent and sexual violence.
Representatives from the nonprofit talked to students and passed out bags with useful everyday items and a pamphlet telling the story of Denim Day.
The pamphlet explained that the Denim Day campaign was started by violence-prevention nonprofit Peace Over Violence following the Italian Supreme Court’s decision to overturn a 1992 rape conviction. The court stated that the victim must have consented because of the jeans she was wearing at the time.
To protest the decision, the women in the Italian Parliament wore denim jeans on the steps of the court, inspiring the campaign that is now recognized worldwide.
On tables near the Partners Against Violence stand were signs that read “What were you wearing?” with a quote by a survivor of sexual violence describing the outfit they were wearing at the time. Next to each sign were articles of clothing inspired by the accounts.
Another table had pairs of denim jeans on which students could write encouraging messages to survivors using permanent markers.
Behind the fountain were tables with art supplies where students could fill in coloring pages and decorate small, smooth plastic stones called Touchstones with encouraging messages.
Following the event at the Fountain of Knowledge, two student-led open yoga sessions were held in the Kinesiology building.
Analy Lizarraga, Partners Against Violence victim services coordinator and community outreach specialist, explained that Partners Against Violence serves as the Coachella Valley’s local rape crisis center and offers numerous services to survivors of sexual assault.
“We have our 24-hour hotline; we do counseling for survivors and their loved ones; we do accompaniments so we can be there for emotional support during court proceedings, law enforcement interviews and forensic exams… and we also do education and awareness, like we’re doing today,” said Lizarraga.
Analee Mendoza, Partners Against Violence medical and legal advocate, said that the organization’s services are also offered at local jails and detention centers through their Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) program.
Partners Against Violence counselor Damaris Robles added that the organization offers ten free trauma-informed counseling sessions to anyone who wants them. These counseling sessions are made to be accessible, and meetings happen on high school or college campuses, in the Partners Against Violence office or online over Zoom.
“Counseling really just looks like giving [survivors] a place where they’re able to talk about what happened, have them feel empowered again, get the control back that was maybe once taken from them, and giving them a really safe space to do so,” said Robles.
COD health program services assistant Myalina Benavides, who works with Partners Against Violence to bring Denim Day to COD every April, said that holding the event at the Fountain of Knowledge and including the resource and craft tables for the first time were well-received updates.
Benavides said she hopes hosting the event on campus can make students more aware of Denim Day, support those who have been impacted by sexual violence and help to remove the stigma around conversations on consent, healthy relationships and sexual health and wellness.
Following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Denim Day resumed on campus in 2023 and has returned each year since for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
For resources and more information on Denim Day, visit DenimDay.org.
For more information on Partners Against Violence and its services, visit PartnersAgainstViolence.org.
For information on College of the Desert’s student health and wellness services, visit CollegeOfTheDesert.edu/Students/Health-Wellness.
