I spent lunchtime on the 24th at Yucca Valley High School with Partners against Violence and students taking their lunch hour to help spread the word to fellow students about sexual Violence.
Partners Against Violence’s mission is to provide support to survivors of violent crime, their families, and communities. They offer a hotline, counseling, advocacy, therapy, and education at no cost to those affected by sexual assault and other forms of Violence.
At this particular event, Partners Against Violence set up a booth. The booth stood alone in the quad, and the student bands played nearby. There was also a photo booth; students collected their friends to photograph their friendships.
Students came by to read the materials and say hi to the members of this collective advocacy group or their friends who were helping out. Students hung jeans around the perimeter of the booth. The jeans had colorful messages of support to victims, like, “You’re okay, it’s not your fault, and we support you.”
The Associated Student Body designed and produced a beautiful teal tee-shirt with the Partners against Violence logo on the front and the words “No, does not mean ‘Convince Me'” on the back. The proceeds from the shirts will go to pay for the students’ Prom Day.
“I am so incredibly proud of the group of ASB students that took on this student-led event to raise awareness on their campus. They worked hard and passionately to make the national campaign a local success. Well done.” -Gena Pliss, Community Outreach Specialist with Partners Against Violence.
Denim Day began in April of 1999 when the Executive Director of Peace Over Violence, Patti Giggans, heard about a young girl who was a victim of Violence. Her assailant was released after a conviction when the judge overseeing the appeal justified his decision by saying the young woman’s jeans were too tight and she had to have helped him.
Partner Against Violence firmly believes that Violence is preventable. Through collective efforts to cultivate a culture of respect, dignity, and safety for all, they advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of individuals and promote a society free from Violence.
After lunch, the students returned to class, and the day went as usual. It left me with a heartwarming feeling that change is possible, and I have experienced the dedication of both advocates and students to take the work of awareness to the next level.
