The fight against sexual assault crimes getting stronger

(Seguin) – A fashion statement was made loud and clear in Seguin this Wednesday afternoon. The community gathered in Central Park for Denim Day. This year’s message was “My Consent is a Voice, NOT a Wardrobe Choice!”

The awareness effort is a show of solidarity in the fight against sexual assault. It serves as a response to erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault and rape.

Hosting the event was Thriving Hearts Crisis Center, formerly known as the Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter.

During the gathering in Central Park, Thriving Hearts’ CEO Manijeh “MJ” Huereca shared more about the original claim of Denim Day and why awareness of sexual crimes in our community is crucial.

“The story of Denim Day began in Italy in 1992 when an 18-year-old girl was raped by her driving instructor. He was convicted but the Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction ruling that her tight jeans implied consent because they believe she must have helped him take them off. The appalling decision became known as the ‘jeans alibi.’ In protest, the (Italian women) wore jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. Their actions were seen around the world and their message was loud and clear. Clothing is never consent. The act of solidarity inspired a global movement. In California, lawmakers inspired by their courage launched the very first Denim Day in LA in 1999. Since then, the simple gesture of wearing denim has become a global symbol of not only solidarity, strength and awareness but one of resistance of victim blaming and a powerful act of support for survivors,” said Huereca.

Huereca says it’s not only important to fight and help prevent these crimes. She says it’s also the community’s responsibility to make sure that victims don’t stay silent.

“Nearly one in 10 women in the US has been raped by an intimate partner. Seven out of 10 rapes are committed by someone that the victim knew. Every 68 seconds, someone in American is sexually assaulted. Every 9 minutes, that someone is a child. In Texas, 2 in 5 women have experienced sexual assault. One in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact. At Thriving Hearts Crisis Center, these statistics aren’t just abstract, they are real people seeking help in our community. In the past year, we have served over 514 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Of the 514, 42 percent of those were survivors of sexual assault. Only 11 cases of that 42 percent was a perpetrator who was a stranger. The vast majority were harmed by a partner, a date or a family member and most heartbreaking of all, almost half of the sexual assault victims we served were children,” said Huereca.

Huereca says unfortunately no community is immune to these crimes. Therefore, there should be no shame but justice for these victims.

“These are not just numbers. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, our children, our friends or perhaps even ourselves. But today it is not only about the painful truth. It’s about renewing our commitment to change, to stand with survivors, to challenge the silence and confront hurtful attitudes that continue to protect perpetrators and punish victims and demanding a world where no survivor is blamed, shamed or ignored,” said Huereca.

Joining Thriving Heart were other agencies that also partner with victims providing resources and services here in Seguin and throughout Guadalupe County. Words were also shared by Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray and by Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen. Both talked about utilizing their roles in the community to combat the issue. Also on hand during Denim Day was Seguin Police Chief Jason Brady and his team of officers.

A show of solidarity among the group was also illustrated with a community march around the sidewalk at Central Park.

Those who find themselves victims of sexual assault or domestic violence are asked to contact Thriving Hearts at 830-372-2780.