Elon community members wore denim clothing Wednesday in solidarity and support of victims of sexual assault.
Jessica Clark, coordinator for violence response, said denim was the natural choice to recognize a 1992 rape case that took place in Rome.
“Denim Day was started by Peace Over Violence in response to a sexual assault case ruling in Italy,” Clark said.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women and one in sixteen men are sexually assaulted while in college. Of that population, more than 90 percent of victims do not report the assault.
Since sexual assault is a reality on Elon University’s campus, the university takes measures to ensure it is not tolerated.
“There are excellent staff and faculty members — especially Campus Safety and Police — working constantly to ensure that Elon University is a safe campus for all members in our community,” Clark said.
She said Elon Feminists for Equality, Change and Transformation (EFFECT) and SPARKS have been great resources for the campus and lead efforts to challenge all students to envision what a campus free of sexual assault looks like.
Denim Day is just one of many awareness events hosted by EFFECT, SPACE and SPARKS each April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Along with these events, the Department of Health Promotion and SPARKS host training workshops throughout the year on how to support survivors of sexual and relationship abuse.