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Proclamation Declaring April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Commerce City
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Since 2001, Sexual Assault Awareness Month has raised awareness about sexual violence and how to prevent it. The movement began back in the 1970s. On April 1, 2001, the U.S. first observed Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Each year, communities across the country engage with this issue more directly by learning more about sexual violence, sharing important statistics, and stepping up to stop sexual assault.
This year SAAM is commemorated through the theme I Ask. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is about more than awareness - the ultimate goal is prevention. Since consent is a clear, concrete example of what it takes to end sexual harassment, abuse, and assault, this year’s campaign shares the message that asking for consent is normal and necessary. The goal of the campaign is to empower all of us to put consent into practice.
The Commerce City Police Department remains committed to offering reporting options to victims of sexual assault while responding to sexual violence with a victim-centered, offender-focused approach. Our city demonstrates this year’s SAAM theme I Ask and our continued recommitment to ending sexual violence in our community.
The campaign was originally prompted as a result of a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.
The 17th Judicial District SART is providing each SART Agency with stickers to be worn to promote Denim Day while encouraging members of each agency to wear jeans on April 28, 2021. By wearing jeans it is our goal to bring increased awareness to the community to the issue of Sexual Assault and the harmful myths surrounding Sex Assault. ...
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