Statistics tell us that 1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.

In Italy of 1992, an eighteen-year-old student got into the car for her very first driving lesson. The instructor, a married forty-five-year-old man pulled over on a vacant road and forcefully took her out of the car. He tussled her out of one leg of her jeans, and raped her.

This incident was brought to the attention of the Italian Supreme Court, and after several years of the case, the judges terminated the rape case, and cleared the driving instructor of any charges. The Chief Judge reasoned, “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.” This outraged the women in the Italian Parliament, and as a show of protest, they wore jeans to work.

Students from high schools across Monmouth County were asked to volunteer their time to attending informational sessions run by 180 Turning Lives Around Inc. These sessions focused primarily on providing information on healthy relationships, sexual violence among teens, current statistics, bystander intervention, and how to stay safe along with information on the programs and services. After attending these sessions, the students were invited to participate in a public event …a fashion show at Monmouth Mall.

“We all have the capacity to serve as active participants in the struggle to galvanize change, and to give a voice to those we feel are silenced by a society that is largely ignorant of the true facts regarding the causes of rape.” says student leader, Aisha Bhoori, from Middletown High School South.

180 and the student ambassadors dedicated March 29th, 2014 to promoting sexual assault awareness and paid tribute to the perplexing court case in Italy, otherwise known as “Denim Day.” The serious topic of sexual abuse was morphed into a day with music, art, and a fashion show. It was impossible to miss the student ambassadors swaggering down the runway in denim jeans, painted with empowering messages, such as “No Excuses” and “Love is not abuse.” It was a must-see event.

180 Turning Lives Around, Inc., is committed to ending domestic and sexual violence. They are involved with supporting missions involving recognition and recovery. 180 is the only agency in Monmouth county to have a 24-hour hotline and provides programs that educates individuals on “assault in all situations.” Involvement and advocacy is a major role of 180.

“I hope that Denim Day will provide a greater awareness for teens.” Connie Heath, Director of Development shares. She adds that “it is important for teens to learn healthy dating situations, to avoid sexual violence, and if necessary to help prevent unfortunate circumstances”.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 44% of sexual violence victims are under the age of 18. It is important to recognize that these numbers are unfathomable. 180 Turning Lives Around has programs and services to help victims throughout the community.

On Wednesday, April 25th seniors Aisha Bhoori and Francesca Vaccaro will be interviewed by ABC Eyewitness News for their involvement with Denim Day; the feature will air on Sunday, May 25th. Stay tuned for more details!