Craig — Advocates Crisis Support Services is encouraging community members, elected officials and local businesses to participate in Denim Day on April 26 to help raise awareness about abuse and violence against women and children.

Denim Day was born out of a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned after the justices reasoned that because the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, implying consent.

The following day, women in the Italian Parliament came to work dressed in jeans in solidarity with the victim.

Now in its 18th year, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault, with more than 11 million participants in the U.S. in 2016.

“It’s important to make people aware that rape is never okay. We have to get the word out that ‘No’ means ‘No,” no matter what the situation,” said new Advocates Executive Director Chuck Grobe.

Local businesses and those who wish to show their support are encouraged to wear jeans or a denim shirt or blazer on April 26. Advocates will also be hanging pairs of jeans inscribed with ‘No means no’ at the Moffat County Courthouse and several other locations.