North Campus students and employees wrapped up last month’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) events by donning their jeans for Denim Day on April 27.

The focus of this rape prevention education campaign was on informing fellow FSCJ employees of their crucial role in serving our students when sexual violence is involved.

Speakers at the event included:

• FSCJ security officer Mike Carter, who provided training on the responsibilities of employees in reporting sexual violence
• Division Chief Adair Newman of the State Attorney’s Office Fourth Judicial Circuit, who spoke about the State Attorney’s Office’s role when it comes to sexual violence and the process of what occurs when sexual violence is reported
• Rape Recovery Team Director Morgan Moeller, who discussed the services and resources available through the Women’s Center of Jacksonville and ways that our community could become and remain involved

For the past 17 years, Peace Over Violence has run its Denim Day campaign on a Wednesday in April to raise awareness of sexual assault. A rape conviction overturned by the Italian Supreme Court originally triggered the campaign. The justices believed that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove them, thereby implying consent. The following day, women in the Italian Parliament arrived at work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.

Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. The goal of North Campus was to make a social statement through fashion by wearing jeans as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.

Earlier last month, North Campus kicked off SAAM with a Day of Action on April 5. Students, faculty, staff and administrators increased their knowledge regarding sexual assault and learned about resources to assist victims.

Detective Ray Reeves of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Hubbard House Court Victim Advocate Roisin Kannupp were guest speakers at the event. Many participants signed a pledge stating that they will never commit, condone or remain silent regarding sexual violence.