As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this Wednesday, April 27, is Denim Day across the country.
The movement comes from the infamous Italian case in 1999 in which an Italian court did not convict a rapist because the victim wore jeans. The judges ruled that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped remove them, thus implying consent.  Female Italian elected officials responded in protest by wearing jeans and the case immediately sparked international outrage.

To commemorate the ruling, Los Angeles held its first Denim Day in 1999, according to Denim Day In La.org.

"Denim Day is part of a national movement to raise awareness of sexual assault," said Nevada First Lady Kathleen Sandoval in a letter to fellow Nevadans. "It's time to get involved. We know how to help stop sexual assault. We just have to work together."

Sandoval is a family and youth prevention program director at the Children's Cabinet working with teens and families dealing with school truancy, mental health issues, homelessness, runaway and abused children and family violence prevention.

"One issue I hear far too much about is sexual assault," Sandoval said. "Imagine the opportunity for heightened awareness if elected officials, constitutional officers, local school districts and you and your friends joined us."

Sandoval said the Governor's Office will be participating in the event, now in its 12th year, and asks the public to "join Brian and me in wearing denim to raise awareness of sexual assault."

"Take this one day and join us in wearing denim to help raise awareness," she said. "Together, we can speak for all of those who have been assaulted and those who haven't, or can't, speak of their assault."

More than 2 million supporters are expected to participate this year. Check out Denim Day In La.org  or call (775) 784-4648 on campus for more information.