Episode 13: Denim Day- When Fashion Became a Defense to Rape... (Insert Eyeroll)

When the Italian Supreme Court reversed a sexual assault conviction on the basis of the victim wearing jeans, the female lawmakers went on a denim strike until the decision was changed. This act inspired the creation of Denim Day by Peace Over Violence as a way to “practice solidarity and support survivors by renewing our commitment to exposing harmful behaviors and attitudes surrounding sexual violence”. Join Lyndsie and Lauryn as they explore the original jeans defense case (and unfortunately, others recognized by courts), the history of sexual assault laws in Italy, and the use of victim's clothing in sexual assault cases in different countries, including the United States, in Episode 13 of A Place in the Courtroom.

Don't forget to wear your denim on Wednesday, April 26 and tag us on social media!

For more information about Denim Day, visit https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/denim-day

Sources

Sources

Everhart, A. (n.d.). Predicting the effect of Italy's long-awaited rape law reform on 'the land of machismo”  Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1795&context=vjtl 

" Great American Trials. . Encyclopedia.com. 23 Feb. 2023 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-magazines/william-kennedy-smith-trial-1991

In Cases of Sexual Assault, Clothing Can No Longer Be Used as Evidence of Consent Under New California Law

KVCR | By Jonathan Linden

https://www.kvcrnews.org/california-news/2021-10-12/in-cases-of-sexual-assault-clothing-can-no-longer-be-used-as-evidence-of-consent-under-new-california-law

Is Clothing Probative of Attitude or Intent? Implication for Rape and Sexual Harassment Cases 

http://char.txa.cornell.edu/Lennon.htm

Rape, Blue Jeans, and Judicial Developments in Italy - GGU Benedetta Faedi 

https://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1103&context=pubs

Rape In Italy: How The Crime And Consent Has Changed Zol

https://lifeinitaly.com/crime-of-rape-and-consent-in-italy/

Ruling on Tight Jeans and Rape Sets Off Anger in Italy Stanley

https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/16/world/ruling-on-tight-jeans-and-rape-sets-off-anger-in-italy.html?searchResultPosition=1

Sexual assault accuser wore 'provocative' clothing, Indian judge rules Mogul & Suri

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/18/india/india-sexual-assault-kerala-woman-bail-intl-hnk/index.html