Wear denim Wednesday to support victims

Staff of St. James Family Center/The Charlotte House are asking people to join them and stand up for an end to sexual violence by wearing denim with a purpose on April 24.

Charlotte House director Susan Schillios said the move is a symbolic gesture in support of people around the world who are victims of sexual assault.

"An Italian court overturned a rape conviction due to the high court not believing that the victim had not consented to sexual contact since, in their opinion, her jeans were so tight the perpetrator could not have gotten them off without her assistance," Schillios said.

"Sounds outrageous, yet in Italy, and all over the world, women and men who are victims of sexual assault continue to be disbelieved and accused of causing the assault due to their behavior … or fashion sense. This has to stop."

For more information on the topic, call The Charlotte House, 360-795-6401, or toll free 1-866-795-9381.