On April 24, millions of people across the world celebrated Denim Day and wore denim to show their support for education and awareness about all forms of sexual violence.

A new art piece inspired by Denim Day called “Hope within the Deconstruction,” by the Child & Family Center is now on display until Friday, May 31, 2019, at Santa Clarita City Hall, located at 23920 Valencia Boulevard. The art piece is available for viewing during normal City Hall business hours.

Denim Day was triggered by a 1998 ruling by an Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. The Chief Judge argued because she wore tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove them, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Since then, Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against faulty attitudes about sexual assault and a sign of support for survivors.

To create the “Hope within the Deconstruction” art piece, the Child & Family Center deconstructed the jeans as a way to emphasize the truth that what a person wears is never an invitation for sexual activity.

The patches that came as a result of the deconstruction were turned into messages of hope and support for survivors, written by students throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Each square represents the unity of our youth, and their decision to stand up against sexual assault through promoting consent, healthy boundaries and empathy for survivors.

City Hall business hours are Monday through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about the art piece, please contact the Child & Family Center outreach specialist at (661) 259-9439.