“We can prevent families from unacceptable emotional and physical suffering by working together to reduce domestic violence in the City of Los Angeles.
“To do my part, I am launching a domestic violence prevention campaign titled S.A.F.E. which stands for “Stop Abuse From Existing.” Thank you for visiting this website and taking a stance in the fight against domestic violence.”
–MAYOR ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
NEWS AND UPDATES:
Denim Day LA Wednesday, April 24, 2013
What is Denim Day?
Denim Day was originally established in response to an Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction on the basis that the victim wore tight jeans. The justices stated that the victim must have helped her attacker remove her jeans and therefore must have given consent and reversed the conviction. Wearing jeans on Denim Day has become an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.
The first Denim Day in LA was in April 1999, and has been commemorated every April since. Click here for more information on the history of this important day.
This year, Mayor Villaraigosa will be joining LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, Superintendent John Deasy, Peace Over Violence and our community and City partners to commemorate the 13th Annual Denim Day in a press event on April 24, 2012, at 10:00AM at Peace Over Violence Headquarters, 1015 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017.
Get Involved!
This year, Denim Day is on Wednesday, April 24th. Get involved and wear your jeans to raise awareness about the myths surrounding sexual assault, and show your support for victims and survivors of rape!
Click here to find out about different ways to get involved and show your support by registering to wear jeans on April 24th.
Mayor Villaraigosa Tells His DV Story
Last year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was interviewed by reporter Stephanie Abrams on CBS about his personal experience with domestic violence. Click here to watch or read a transcript of the interview.
Revisions to the Uniform Crime Report Definition of Rape
In 2011, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced revisions to the Uniform Crime Report definition of rape. This is an important step towards assuring that accurate numbers of sexual assault crimes are counted, and that resources and support are available to victims.
Mayor Villaraigosa has been a supporter of these revisions, which are the first of their kind since 1929. Click here for the Mayor’s letter to Attorney General Holder in support of this issue, and here for the statement he issued last week.
Statements have been issued by Attorney General Holder, as well as the Office of Violence Against Women.
