LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Activists and elected officials gathered outside Los Angeles City Hall Wednesday to mark the 26th annual Denim Day in support of sexual assault survivors and to call for continued federal funding of services for victims.

Patti Giggans, Denim Day founder and CEO of Peace Over Violence, organized a news conference alongside Los Angeles City Council's eight women members to reaffirm their support, to educate and support efforts to end sexual violence.

"Today, we reject a culture that normalizes violence, and we reject a culture that responds to harm with more harm," Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez said. "I believe that healing starts with investing in the programs, the education, the housing, the community and resources that prevent from happening in the first place."

Councilwoman Heather Hutt emphasized that it is critical to speak up. If you see something unusual, say something to stop it, she added. She also encouraged victims of sexual violence to have the hard conversation with your self, talk about your experiences and begin your journey to heal.

Giggans told those gathered for the event that there are many forms of abuse, including "child sexual abuse, teen dating violence, sexual harassment, elder abuse, abuse of persons with disabilities, abuse of the deaf community, the LGBTQ++ community, immigrants, trafficking, rape during a war and rape during marriage."

Peace Over Violence officials say that according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of women and nearly one-third of men have experienced sexual violence. The group says cuts in federal funding are threatening to remove resources for and services for victims of such violence.

The group urged victims and their supporters to call a toll-free hotline at 844-DENIM99 (336-4699), which offers "a safe, confidential space for individuals to record messages, express feelings, reflect on healing, and contribute to a movement breaking the silence surrounding sexual violence by using their voice."

Information about available resources for survivors is available online at www.peaceoverviolence.org.

During Wednesday's council meeting, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez led a presentation to honor Peace Over Violence and mark Denim Day 2025.

"...We're here joined together in solidarity to stand up against victim blaming by ensuring that our voices are heard," Rodriguez said.

Wendy Blanco, a representative for Peace Over Violence, thanked everyone for the proclamation and presentation.

"I want to express my gratitude to everyone that coordinated this, who brought us here, because it is really important we continue to elevate sexual assault awareness," Blanco said.

Denim Day, which evolved from a local grassroots action in Los Angeles to a worldwide movement in 1999, was started in response to an Italian Supreme Court verdict that sparked international outrage when judges overturned a rapist's conviction, arguing that because the victim wore tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker remove them, implying consent.

The spontaneous protest following that verdict grew into an international movement for awareness and support for survivors of rape and sexual violence, shepherded by Peace Over Violence.

Denim Day is traditionally on the last Wednesday of April as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Bill Handel