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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

[1]Alternatives to Violence (ATV) the local agency pledged to help victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence is pleased and honored to share three upcoming events. April is sexual assault awareness month, and Victims Rights Week. ATV is dedicated to offering information, resources, education and support for individuals/families/friends impacted by the violent

Denim Day ~ is April 27, 2011, Wednesday “This day was created as a prevention and education campaign to bring awareness to one victim’s experience. A 1999, court ruling convicting a man of sexual assault was overruled by the Supreme Court of Italy, stating that “the woman was wearing jeans and they could not have come off without her help”. (see below) Denim Day was created to honor and support that victim and many others, like this woman, who have experienced victim blaming. All day at Alternatives to Violence, we will be wearing jeans and “denim day” pins and we encourage the community to do the same at their schools and places of work. By participating, we hope to send the message that we support victims of violent crimes and the many people who work in the field of victim services. Stop by ATV for a Denim Day pin and/or share our upcoming events through your organizations, Facebook and people who care. For further information contact Brittany Little ~ Sexual Assault  Therapist @ 669.5150

crime of sex assault. Upcoming events that will be put on by in Loveland are:

The Clothesline Project ~  April 29, Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Alternatives to Violence (ATV) will be hosting this event that takes place nationally to bring awareness to the problem of sex assault violence. Community members are invited to attend and create their own t-shirt regarding sexual assault; whether it is related to their own experience or a loved one’s experience of sexual assault or to leave an encouraging message for any survivor of sexual assault. One can choose to take home their shirt or donate it to ATV for current or future displays and events. An informational table with resources and beverages/snacks will be provided. This event will take place at Thompson Park across from Alternatives to Violence, 313 E 4th Street, Loveland.

Italy, 1990s

An 18-year old girl is picked up by her married 45-year old driving instructor for her very first lesson. He takes her to an isolated road, pulls her out of the car, wrestles her out of one leg of her jeans and forcefully rapes her. Threatened with death if she tells anyone, he makes her drive the car home. Later that night she tells her parents, and they help and support her to press charges. The perpetrator gets arrested and is prosecuted. He is convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

He appeals the sentence. The case makes its all the way to the Italian Supreme Court. Within a matter of days, the case against the driving instructor is overturned, dismissed, and the perpetrator released. In a statement by the Chief Judge, he argued, “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex.”