Senate Resolution No. 214

BY: Senator PERSAUD

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Kathy
Hochul to proclaim April 26, 2023, as Denim Day in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, Sexual violence is a horrific and widespread act of crime
that is broadly defined as any unwanted sexual contact, including rapes,
verbal and physical assault, and harassment; and

WHEREAS, Victims of sexual violence are often blamed for having
contributed or led to the perpetration of violence through their
behavior or physical appearance; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the
conviction of a man accused of rape on the grounds that the victim must
have helped her rapist remove her tight-fitting jeans, thereby implying
consent; and

WHEREAS, This ruling infuriated the Italian public, leading women to
wear denim to work the day after the conviction; and

WHEREAS, In April of 1999, Patricia Giggans, the Executive Director
of Peace Over Violence, established Denim Day in Los Angeles,
California, in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Since 1999, the event has grown into a worldwide movement,
occurring annually in 50 states and over 119 countries and including
female, male and LGBTQ participants; and

WHEREAS, Through the Scarsdale Coalition on Family Violence's
tireless efforts, Denim Day will take place on, April 26, 2023, in towns
and cities throughout Westchester County and New York State; and

WHEREAS, Children and adolescents are at high-risk for being victims
of sexual violence, with half of female rape victims reporting
experiencing their first rape before 18, and over a quarter of male rape
victims raped for the first time before the age of 10; and

WHEREAS, Over 15,000 people with developmental disabilities are
raped each year in the United States, and over 20,000 more estimated to
have experienced sexual violence; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that over 50% of LGBTQ individuals have
experienced at least one incidence of sexual violence; and

WHEREAS, Awareness campaigns such as Denim Day have done much to
empower victims and their loved ones, and to educate potential victims
of the dangers of sexual violence; and

WHEREAS, Though much progress has been made in the fight against
sexual violence, the fact that almost 50% of women and 20% of men have
been or will be victims of sexual violence highlights continued need for
advocacy; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body strongly supports the efforts of the
Scarsdale Coalition on Family Violence to educate persons in our
community about the true impact of rape and sexual assault in not only
Westchester County, but the entire State of New York; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 26, 2023, as Denim
Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and the Scarsdale Coalition on Family Violence.