Polytechnic School Students Lead Denim Day Campaign to Raise Awareness About Sexual Assault

Students at Polytechnic School in Pasadena are taking proactive steps to raise awareness about sexual assault as part of a Denim Day campaign on Wednesday, April 30.

The student-led effort includes educational presentations, guided discussions about consent, and creative activities aimed at supporting survivors and addressing misconceptions surrounding sexual violence.

The campaign reflects the students’ commitment to fostering a culture of prevention and education in their community.

“For this year’s Denim Day event here at Poly, several student groups have collaborated to create a presentation and lunch time activities,” said Stephanie Monteleone, Human Development Teacher at Polytechnic School.

Between 15-20 student leaders will present to the entire student body during morning meeting about the history and significance of Denim Day, which originated after a controversial 1998 Italian Supreme Court ruling. The court overturned a rape conviction based on the victim wearing tight jeans, implying she must have helped remove them and therefore consented. This ruling sparked global outrage and led to the establishment of Denim Day.

The event, scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the school’s South Campus, aligns with Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo’s proclamation of April as Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Month. This year’s theme, “USE YOUR VOICE,” encourages people to speak out against sexual violence, support survivors, and challenge harmful misconceptions.

“During our morning meeting (upper school assembly time) tomorrow, 15-20 students will present to the student body about the history of Denim Day, raise awareness about sexual violence, and encourage our community to participate and show support by wearing jeans on Wednesday,” Monteleone explained.

The initiative extends beyond educational presentations. “Student leaders will also hold a safe space during lunch tomorrow to discuss consent,” said Monteleone. This approach allows for more authentic dialogue among peers on sensitive but important topics.

Creative expression forms a key component of the day’s activities. “On Wednesday, students are invited to gather and color, make bracelets, and paint denim swatches with messages of support for survivors and resistance against on-going and future acts of sexual violence,” Monteleone added.

The student-led approach at Polytechnic represents a model for youth engagement in sexual violence prevention, demonstrating how young people can become effective advocates for change in their communities. This initiative exemplifies the “USE YOUR VOICE” theme for Denim Day 2025.

Polytechnic School’s commitment to sexual violence prevention extends beyond this annual event through comprehensive human development curricula across different grade levels. “Students learn about consent in developmentally appropriate lessons that focus on building assertive communication skills, learning how to accept rejection, and the important role of bystanders in preventing sexual assault,” Monteleone said.

Both middle and upper school students receive comprehensive education on healthy relationships, with specific attention to identifying “yellow” and “red” flags of unhealthy and abusive relationships. This ongoing education creates a foundation that supports the more visible Denim Day activities.

Denim Day is observed annually on the last Wednesday of April as a visual demonstration against sexual violence and victim-blaming. On this day, participants worldwide wear jeans to show solidarity with survivors. Peace Over Violence, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, launched the first Denim Day in April 1999, making it the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history.