April 24 is known worldwide as Denim Day, and to support the movement LSU student organization Tigers Against Sexual Assault hosted their second annual Denim Day concert at the LSU Greek Theater.
The day originates from a 1998 Italian Supreme Court ruling overturning the conviction of a 45-year-old driving instructor charged with the rape of an 18-year-old woman during a driving lesson. The court claimed that the victim must have assisted with the removal of her jeans for they were “too tight.”
The subsequent public outcry over the ruling inspired a protest in the Italian Parliament and outside the state capitol in Sacramento, California where protestors wore denim jeans to challenge the idea that a woman, or anybody, wearing jeans is consenting to sex. The first Denim Day was held in April of 1999 and continues annually to this day.
Thus TASA has decided to host their own Denim Day event, complete with tables from organizations such as Feminist in Action and Now Baton Rouge and local bands Doggish, Paris Avenue and Hotel Burgundundy all performing on stage.
TASA President and politcal science senior Elsie Huffman shared what TASA means for her and the impact it has on the LSU community. Huffman has been a member of TASA since her freshman year and has great admiration for the organization.
“TASA for me has always been a safe space. It’s a lot of advocacy work,” Huffman said. “I instantly felt drawn to an organization that holds higher ups accountable and amplifies students’ voices making sure they’re heard, and now our big mission is to promote resources.”
The event featured guest speaker Derrick Lathan, the social change director for Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response. He was able to talk about resources for victims of sexual assault and how to access them.
“We provide free and confidential survivor services,” Lathan said. “Those services include a 24/7 hotline, we also do hospital accompaniments, we also have free and confidential counseling.”
STAR also offers on-staff attorneys that help with any legal needs of victims and their families free of charge.
STAR can either be reached at their offices in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Alexandria, or be contacted at (318) 625-7592.
