Milwaukee marks 8th Denim Day, supporting sexual assault survivors

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barret met with community leaders to proclaim Wednesday as Denim Day in the city.

The day brings awareness to sexual assault and violence and supports survivors.

The Denim Day campaign stems from a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court. It centered around a rape conviction being overturned. Justices said since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove them, implying consent.

At Wednesday’s press conference, one man shared his story.

“I was being molested and I blocked it out,” Rafael Mercado with Team HAVOK said. “So I took anger and that out on the streets. I was mad at everybody because nobody wanted to hear me.”

Mayor Tom Barrett wanted to make sure the public knows Milwaukee supports survivors.

“Denim Day recognizes the barriers to reporting sexual assaults and is part of a movement to create a community that supports survivors and where survivors speak out.”

April also marks Sexual Assault Awareness month.