For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Robinson, (702) 326-0334, lisa@ffwpr.com
April 17, 2019
THE RAPE CRISIS CENTER MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF DENIM DAY WITH INSPIRING LUNCHEON AND ENCOURAGES SOUTHERN NEVADA COMPANIES TO WEAR JEANS TO WORK ON APRIL 24
LAS VEGAS — April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and the 2019 theme is “I Ask.”
“I Ask” encourages and empowers everyone, no matter the scenario, to ask for consent, listen, and accept answers without pressuring or coercing another. Signs of Hope (SOH), which is marking its 45th year serving all of Clark County and is faced with increasing demand for services, embraces the “I Ask” theme as a key message in educating people, starting at an early age, on how to ask for and get consent for any type of physical contact and in all types of relationships. Last year, the SOH volunteers and staff responded to 727 victims of sexual assault at the hospital, handled 4,214 calls to the hotline, a 20% increase over the previous year, and helped a record number of counseling clients. Denim Day is an international opportunity to stand with survivors of sexual assault and abuse all over the world by wearing jeans. Southern Nevadans are participating in Denim Day and showing support in two ways – by attending the Denim Day Luncheon and/or wearing jeans to work.
WHAT: Signs of Hope’s Denim Day Luncheon featuring an inspirational survivor runway show
WHEN: Wednesday, April 24, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
11:30a Doors open
12:00p Lunch and program begin
1:15p Inspirational Survivor Runway Show featuring sexual assault survivors ranging in age from 14 to 62
1:45-2:00p Silent auction closes; end of event
WHERE: World Market Center, Building B, 16th Floor
475 S Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89106
WHO:
Congresswoman Dina Titus, 1st District of Nevada
Congressman Steven Horsford, 4th District of Nevada
Daniele Staple, Executive Director, Signs of Hope
TICKETS: $95 each; table and survivor sponsorships available at rcclv.org
In addition to the luncheon, the SOH is encouraging businesses and organizations to allow employees to wear jeans with a purpose and show support by wearing denim on April 24. SOH asks that those who participate post photos of themselves wearing jeans on social media tagging @TheRapeCrisisCenterLV and #denimday2019.
About Denim Day: The day commemorates a decision by the Supreme Court of Italy, which overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing tight jeans, and the panel concluded she must have assisted her attacker in taking them off, and therefore was consenting. This terrible decision brought worldwide attention to the rampant victim blaming that continues to occur with sexual assault. This is the 20th anniversary year for Denim Day.
SOH Background:
In Las Vegas, Signs of Hope (SOH), which serves all of Clark County, has active programs in our community designed to prevent sexual violence before it has a chance to happen. In addition, the SOH operates a 24-hour hotline, meets victims at the hospital 24/7 and offers counseling to survivors and their families.
About Signs of Hope:
Signs of Hope (SOH) is a non-profit organization founded in 1974 by Florence McClure and Sandra Petta as the Community Action Against Rape (CAAR) with the goal of helping those in Clark County heal from the trauma of sexual violence. Today, Signs of Hope operates a 24/7 crisis hotline and hospital response for sexual assault victims and provides counseling, advocacy and support to help victims begin the healing process and navigate the legal system. SOH is also committed to raising awareness of sexual assault and engaging in prevention efforts through educational programs and community outreach, particularly to youth. Signs of Hope hotline number is 702-366-1640. For more information, visit www.rcclv.org.
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