A 1992 rape conviction garnered global attention when it was overturned and a rapist walked free. The justification? The victim had been wearing tight jeans and the Italian Supreme Court insinuated she must have helped remove them rendering the alleged rape as consensual sex. 

Since 1999, Denim Day has been observed across the world in April. Participants are asked to wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors and educate yourself and others about sexual assault.

MSU’s Title IX office organizes a local observance of the day. Math and accounting junior, Chance Thompson has participated since his freshman year, though he has only recently learned the origins. 

“All I knew is I had to wear denim. I didn’t really know what it was until I started working with [Title IX],” he said. 

Many students, faculty and staff observed the day, posting photos on Instagram with the hashtag #stangsindenim including the Undergraduate Research office, the American Chemical Society, Respiratory Student Association, the Office of Residence Life and Housing and several others. 

Thompson later said Denim Day is a good event because of its sentiment. 

“The issues that Denim Day is addressing are issues that are seen everywhere,” he said. “And it’s good to be able to tackle it head on and show that we stand with the victims and we’re against victim blaming.”