AXO Denim Day event promotes sexual assault awareness on campus
Wearing denim took on a deeper meaning at Utah State University as students and locals joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, or AXO, in recognizing Denim Day and raising awareness about sexual assault.
The sorority-led event was held at the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month on April 1. By encouraging participation and providing a safe space, the sisters of AXO sought to spark conversation and increase awareness on campus.
AXO vice president of philanthropy Lily Clark said this event is at the heart of her sorority’s mission.
“Our philanthropy is domestic violence awareness and sexual assault awareness,” Clark said.
Denim Day is an annual, worldwide campaign that encourages participants to support survivors, protest victim-blaming and educate against myths surrounding sexual violence by wearing denim.
“In the ‘90s, there was unfortunately an Italian court case where a woman was raped, and they said that because she was wearing tight jeans, it was consensual,” Clark said. “So now, to bring awareness and to fight for survivors, there is Denim Day.”
For a $6 entry fee, attendees could enjoy unlimited ice cream cones while supporting local organizations like SAAVI and CAPSA that assist survivors of sexual assault.
SAAVI, or the Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information Office, is a confidential, on-campus resource at USU that provides students and staff impacted by interpersonal violence with free support, advocacy and trauma-informed counseling.
“SAAVI has what’s called the ‘survivor fund,’ and it is a fund that exists solely based off of donations,” said Ashleigh Totten, outreach and education coordinator and victim advocate for SAAVI. “A huge portion of those donations actually come from Alpha Chi and their fundraisers throughout the year.”
This year, AXO combined Denim Day with their Waffle Wednesday ice cream event to bring a more relaxed atmosphere to a serious conversation.
“Sexual assault is such a heavy topic, and people are very hesitant to even talk about our philanthropy or feel comfortable bringing things up,” Clark said. “We want the community members to feel like we support survivors, we accept you here, you’re able to come here and feel comfortable.”
According to Clark, the event was able to raise over $1,000, a contribution Totten said can have an incredible impact.
“That survivor fund allows us to help out in immediate times of need,” Totten said. “Every single case is different, and being able to have that fund allows us to help temporarily with some of those immediate basic needs.”
Some of the basic needs SAAVI can help survivors meet include housing, food, transportation and childcare. SAAVI can also help clients with things like setting boundaries and building healthy relationships.
“We work with people over such a wide spectrum of harm,” Totten said. “We offer a lot more than just helping survivors of sexual violence; although, that is very important and a big part of what we do.”
SAAVI and CAPSA tabled at the event, answering questions and sharing information.
“Having events like this lets us have a fun interaction with students,” Totten said. “It allows students to engage with us in a way that maybe doesn’t seem as scary as stopping by our office.”
Clark said she was happy the event not only raised funds but also encouraged conversations about consent and support while providing a safe space for survivors and allies.
“There are so many young men and young women who have suffered from this and don’t feel able to speak out, and this is an issue that is especially present in college, unfortunately,” Clark said. “I think it’s really important to bring awareness to it and to hold events that make people feel more comfortable about such a serious topic.”
