Trigger Warning: This article contains discussions of sexual assault which may be distressing for some readers. If you need support, consider reaching out to Archway Society for Domestic Peace at 250-542-1122. All programs are easily accessible, free of charge and confidential.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and a Vernon agency that provides services for victims is using the occasion to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with survivors as part of a global movement.
Archway Society for Domestic Peace says April is a time for communities to come together to shed light on the realities of sexual violence and provide education with the goal of preventing it.
With this goal in mind, the agency is highlighting an important initiative: Denim Day is taking place on April 30. It's an international campaign that challenges harmful myths about sexual violence, particularly narratives that blame victims.
Denim Day traces its roots back to a 1998 ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, in which a rape conviction was overturned based on the assumption that because the survivor was wearing tight jeans, she must have participated in their removal, thereby giving consent.
In response to the ruling, women in the Italian parliament wore denim in solidarity with the survivor, leading to what has become a global movement.
Today, Denim Day encourages people, businesses and communities to make a social statement by wearing denim as a visible sign of protest against the misconceptions surrounding sexual violence.
Archway is inviting everyone to take part in Denim Day and use it as an opportunity for conversations about consent, victim-blaming and the importance of supporting survivors.
Rates of sexual assault in B.C. and Canada have increased sharply in recent years. Between 2013 and 2023, B.C. saw yearly reported sexual assaults jump from 2,707 to 4,458, according to Archway. The overall rate of sexual assault in Canada increased by 51 per cent, with sexual assault that included the use of a weapon or bodily harm increasing by 77 per cent over the same period. In all, one in three Canadian women experience sexual assault in their lives.
"We know that only six per cent of survivors of sexual assault (15 years of age or older) report the assault to the police," said Monica Kriese, Archway's community engagement coordinator. "There can be many reasons for a survivor choosing not to report this crime: stigma, not being believed, being blamed, shame and lack of confidence in the policing and justice systems. In fact, of cases that are reported, very few lead to a guilty finding."
Archway advocates for creating a policy that unites efforts to improve responses to sexual violence in B.C., saying no such policy currently exists, and this leads to inequitable access to services and inconsistent responses to survivors.
"B.C. created the Violence Against Women in Relationship policy in 1993, and it has been essential to integrating the work of those who respond to intimate partner violence across sectors," said Kriese. "We need a similar provincial policy to streamline responses to sexual violence."
People can wear denim on April 30 to show their support, and use the day to discuss sexual violence and prevention with their families, friends and colleagues. Use the hashtags #DenimDay2025 and #DenimDayOkanagan to take part in the movement on social media.
"On April 30, take time to educate and advocate by discussing the realities of sexual violence. Let’s connect, spread awareness, and ensure survivors know they are heard, believed, and supported," said Kriese.
