 We're here at the state Capitol and almost everyone around us is wearing denim because of denim day since 1999 denim day has become an annual event where people skip their business attire for denim jeans to raise awareness about sexual assault Denim day was created after rape conviction in Italy was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court Because it ruled that due to the tightness of the victims jeans the victim must have assisted the alleged rapist to remove them The ruling sparked widespread protests as women in the Italian parliament wore jeans in a show of solidarity 19 years later the show of solidarity continues Denim day is an annual event that takes place in April, which is also sexual assault awareness month sexual assault is a serious crime That can impact every citizen of California regardless of age race income level Gender or sexual orientation Cal OES provides funding to programs serving victims of sexual assault as well as domestic violence and child abuse through its grants management division The sexual assault programs are designed to address sexual violence through a variety of efforts including educational training rape crisis centers and Training of forensic medical personnel last year the 84 rape crisis centers provided over 34,000 services to survivors of sexual assault Learn more about denim day at denim day info.org Visit our online newsroom at OES news comm to learn more about this program and get the latest news and information from our team Don't miss our next video on your Facebook timeline like our page And you'll get the latest posts as they happen if you're an Instagram user You can see the latest snapshots by following our Cal OES Instagram account And Twitter users can get instant access to our tweets from across the state by following Cal OES