YWCA Central Virginia | Denim Day 2026

 

Dear Community Partner,

Why are we asking?

We are excited to invite you and/or your organization to participate in YWCA Central Virginia’s Denim Day, taking place on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Why?

Denim Day is an international awareness campaign that originated from a controversial legal case in Italy in 1992. In this case, a rape conviction was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court, which ruled that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped remove them, implying consent. This reasoning placed blame on the victim rather than the perpetrator and sparked global outrage.
The following day, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in protest, standing in solidarity with survivors and challenging the harmful belief that clothing can ever imply consent.
In 1999, the nonprofit Peace Over Violence launched Denim Day in Los Angeles to challenge harmful myths surrounding sexual assault. Today, YWCA Central Virginia proudly continues this movement to raise awareness and support survivors in our community.

How can you participate?

• Visit the campaign page:
  https://givebutter.com/denim-day-2026-ywca-central-virginia-mlduuh
• Donate $5 to support YWCA Central Virginia’s Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP), which provides advocacy, resources, and support to survivors
• Wear denim on April 29 to show support and solidarity
• Share the campaign with your network to help spread awareness
• Use our social media kit to amplify your impact:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Lbl_QirTqCNTUymPsKAP_5ote7APTk1B?usp=drive_link

How to Participate

Whether you want to simply donate, share the campaign, or take it a step further, here are your options:

Option 1: Quick Participation (Donate & Wear Denim)

The simplest way to participate:

1. Visit the campaign page:
   https://givebutter.com/denim-day-2026-ywca-central-virginia-mlduuh
2. Click Donate
3. Contribute $5 (or more if you would like)
4. Wear denim on April 29

That’s it! You are officially part of Denim Day.

Option 2: Donate + Share with Friends

Want to make a bigger impact?

1. Visit the campaign page
2. Click Donate and complete your contribution
3. After donating, share the campaign link with:
   • Friends and family
   • Social media networks
   • Colleagues

Option 3: Become a Fundraiser (Individual Page)

If you would like to actively raise funds:

1. Visit the campaign page
2. Click Fundraise
3. Create or sign in to your Givebutter account
4. Select Fundraise as an Individual
5. Set a personal fundraising goal
6. Add a short message about why this cause matters to you

You will receive a personal fundraising link to share with your network.

Option 4: Create Your Own Team

Interested in rallying a group (friends, workplace, community group)?

1. Visit the campaign page
2. Click Fundraise
3. Create or sign in to your Givebutter account
4. Select Create a Team
5. Add a team name and (optional) goal
6. Share your team link and invite others to join
7. Consider challenging another organization to a friendly fundraising competition or offering a corporate match to increase impact.

Tip: Use the social media toolkit to make sharing easy and impactful.
All participating organizations will receive a Denim Day Certificate of Participation in recognition of your commitment to supporting survivors and raising awareness. In addition, we will recognize participating organizations on our social media channels throughout the campaign.

Thank you for standing with survivors.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
Warm regards,


YWCA Central Virginia