April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Part 2
Thursday, April 2nd, 2015 -- 12:16 PM
-April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.I spoke with Melissa Geldernick, the Sexual Assault Advocate for the Personal Development Center.
First, Melissa explained the history behind the month.
She said, "For Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I think everything revolves around Denim Day. This year it's April 29th, which is a Wednesday. So, Denim Day started with a story back in Italy and there was a girl who was raped by her driving instructor. She told her mom and they went to court for it and things were moving along in the trial. But then, the final decision was that the girl's pants were too tight and thus she would have had to take them off in order for the sexual assault to occur, making it consensual sex. Some of the court members didn't agree with that decision so, in rebellion, they all kind wore denim because she had jeans. It skyrocketed over in Europe and other areas and it just kind of pushed into America and now it's just a big national event. Which is good that we can bring that awareness about a really sad story for that individual. But, Denim Day is specifically one day, but we make the whole month a month of awareness and I try to bring denim to the whole thing."
Coming up on Friday, we'll hear about Melissa's goal during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.