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AP20:042

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2020
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575

Secretary of State Alex Padilla, ‘Safe at Home’ Program Recognize April as Sexual Violence Awareness Month; Participate in Denim Day Activities

SACRAMENTO, CA – The Secretary of State’s Safe at Home is recognizing April as Sexual Violence Awareness Month by participating in an online townhall hosted by the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence at 10:00 a.m. on Denim Day (April 29, 2020). Held annually on a Wednesday in April, Denim Dayencourages the wearing of denim jeans to raise awareness about sexual harassment and sexual violence.

“Denim Day may be moving online during the COVID-19 Pandemic, but we still must raise our voices and remind the world that help is available for victims and survivors of sexual violence,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “I, and the entire Secretary of State team, stand in solidarity with all of those who have suffered sexual violence. The Secretary of State’s Safe at Home program can provide confidential addresses that allow victims to re-establish their lives with peace of mind. Survivors deserve the dignity and access to government services that are afforded to every Californian.”

This year, due to the COVID-19 Stay at Home Order, Denim Day activities will be conducted online.

About Safe at Home
Safe at Home is an address confidentiality program administered from the office of the Secretary of State and provides a substitute mailing address for victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, and elder/dependent adult abuse. If you are someone, or know of someone, that could benefit from the Safe at Home program, feel free to call our toll free number at (877) 322-5227, or visit https://SafeatHome.sos.ca.gov.

About Denim Day
The Denim Day campaign originated as a result of a 1999 Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. In protest, the following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans to show solidarity with the victim. This event launched the annual Denim Day campaign that occurs in April.

For more information, visit https://www.denimdayinfo.org/.

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