LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was recognized on April 24 by nonprofit organization Peace Over Violence (POV) on Wednesday for his efforts in raising awareness about issues surrounding sexual assault and abuse. Villaraigosa was the first city mayor to declare Denim Day in any city, and went on to preside over eight years of commemorating the advocacy.
Denim Day, now running on its 14th year, was organized by POV. The campaign sees thousands of people across the nation use a fashion statement to make a political statement.
Men, women, and teens everywhere wore their jeans to raise awareness on issues about sexual assault.
The wearing of jeans during the annual day of advocacy against sexual abuse and domestic violence recalls a court case in Italy that sparked an international uproar, when the judges did not convict an alleged rapist because the victim wore jeans.
Judges in the case ruled that there must have been consent because the victim – who wore very tight jeans at the time of the assault – must have helped the alleged rapist take them off. The rape suspect walked away from the case a free man because of this ruling.
POV Executive Director Patti Giggans lauded Villaraigosa’s staunch advocacy for the growing Denim Day movement, as well as his support for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
“We appreciate you for all you have done to bring attention and raise the bar on the issues of sexual abuse and domestic violence,” Giggans said to Villaraigosa, in a simple recognition ceremony held at the POV headquarters on Wilshire Boulevard.
Villaraigosa was given the first ever Denim Day in LA / USA award to commemorate his accomplishments in pushing for greater awareness on sexual assault issues, which include child sexual abuse, and teen dating violence.
Giggans cited Villaraigosa’s leadership as a role model for other cities to emulate.
This year, Denim Day was held in Pasadena, Santa Monica, Alhambra, Milwaukee, New York City, and many other cities across the country.
“As mayor, you have connected the dots on many related issues and you have spoken about the intersectionality of many issues that can make LA a viable, safe city for all of us,” Giggans said of Villaraigosa.
POV awarded the LA mayor with a commemorative red cube trophy bearing the words, “Denim Day in LA & USA.” Giggins noted that it is a perfect companion to the blue POV Humanitarian Award that was given to Villaraigosa a few years ago.
“I’m very proud that LA was the first major city to participate in Denim Day, and to be the first mayor of the city to delcare Denim Day in the City of Los Angeles,” Villaraigosa told Asian Journal after the press conference.
The LA mayor said that he has been working with Peace Over Violence and organizations that work against domestic violence and sexual abuse since he became speaker of the California State Assembly.
“As someone who grew up in a home of domestic violence, who has witnessed [his] mom victimized by it, this is a recognition that I’m gonna prize very very dearly,” Villaraigosa added.
A recent string of rape cases in Steubenville, Ohio and San Francisco, CA has left the nation in shock of the ‘culture of rape’, which has become increasingly prevalent in today’s society.
“Rape is a local, global, national and international issues that affects us all,” Giggans said.
“Sexual violence occurs in every community and country, regardless of age, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation,” she added.
