Empowering survivors, educating allies

Shown is a display created by the Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention in observance of Denim Day, which spreads awareness of sexual assault. Students wrote their names on the pants to show support. Alfredo Garcia Jr./THE RIDER
Elisa Reyes (from left), the Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention program coordinator; Lt. Samuel Hernadez; Amanda Quintanilla, UTRGV PD victims advocacy liaison; Marco Huerta, UTRGV PD community engagement officer; and Erik Quintanilla, a help educator, pose for a photo at their informational table Tuesday during Denim Day. The event took place in the Main Courtyard on the Brownsville campus. Alfredo Garcia Jr./THE RIDER
Students visit informational tables to learn about Denim Day Tuesday in the Main Courtyard on the Brownsville campus. Alfredo Garcia Jr./THE RIDER

The Office of Advocacy and Violence Prevention, UTRGV University Police and Student Health hosted Denim Day on Tuesday and Wednesday on both campuses to show support for survivors in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Denim Day originated in 1992 in Rome, Italy, when the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction regarding a case involving an 18-year-old woman and a driving instructor, according to denimday.org

Cesar Quintanilla, a health educator for both campuses, said the victim was wearing jeans.

“A student who was wearing jeans at the time … the judge claimed that her jeans were so tight that she must have taken them off by herself,” Quintanilla said. “So, [the defendant] was set free.”

He said survivors of sexual violence are honored by wearing blue jeans to show solidarity.

“The purpose of wearing these jeans is to create awareness and that under no circumstances wearing jeans is an invitation for you to rape me,” Quintanilla said.

Vaqueros showed support for victims and survivors Tuesday in the Main Courtyard in Brownsville and Wednesday on the Quad in Edinburg.

Students shared their words of support by writing messages to survivors on blue jeans, which were displayed on the Quad.

Accounting junior Juan Ramirez (left) plays a round of Connect 4 with Mariana Lopez, crime victim liaison for the City of Edinburg Police Department. The Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention, UTRGV Police Department and Student Health hosted Denim Day Wednesday on the Quad on the Edinburg campus.
**Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER**

Organizations that participated included the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Rape Crisis Center, Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas, City of Edinburg and ACCESS Esperanza Clinics.

Macie Blohowiak, a sociology senior, said providing information is important.

“I think it’s great that the university is spreading awareness about sexual harassment,” Blohowiak said. “… I’m glad that we have a day to give this information out to everybody.”

Peace Over Violence, a violence prevention center in Los Angeles, recognized the first Denim Day in the United States in 1999, according to its website.

Priscilla Palacios, coordinator for OAVP, said the office’s services are free and confidential.

“We are confidential advocates on our campus,” Palacios said. “We are here to help them understand the process of not just reporting to law enforcement but also reporting to our campus Title IX office. We help them understand what their rights are, what resources are available for them.”

OAVP has a trauma-informed counselor to provide services.

Palacios wants to remind students that the office provides emotional support.

“We guide them along the way to making sure one, they don’t get revictimized and two, understand what they are going through, through that process,” she said.

Students can learn more about the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship through OAVP’s workshop, Behind the Post. More information can be found on V Link.

UTRGV Police Officer Marco Huerta said the department offers campus safety training to students, faculty and staff.

“It’s about a 45-minute presentation,” Huerta said. “And we talk a little bit about services that are available to them, the police department, what we’re about and the services we provide to them.”

The National Sexual Assault Hotline operates around the clock, seven days a week. Services are confidential and free of charge. Callers will be connected with a trained staff member from a local sexual assault service provider. The hotline can be accessed by calling 1-800-656-4673, according to the OAVP page.

Advocacy and counseling services are confidential and free to all students. To make an appointment, email oavp@utrgv.edu or call 665-8287.

The Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention, UTRGV Police Department and Student Health host Denim Day Wednesday on the Quad on the Edinburg campus. The event was held in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER
Mechanical engineering freshman Rocio Acosta (left) visits the Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners booth during Denim Day Wednesday on the Quad on the Edinburg campus. Also shown are Forensic Nurse Examiners Ashley Oviedo (center) and Maria Gonzalez. Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER
Entrepreneurship and innovation sophomore Tyrayniece Azemas (left) visits the Children’s Advocacy Center booth during Denim Day Wednesday on the Quad on the Edinburg campus. Also shown are Yoaly Gutierrez, medical advocate coordinator and social work graduate student, and Merary Sauceda, family support specialist. Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER
The Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention, UTRGV Police Department and Student Health host Denim Day Wednesday on the Quad on the Edinburg campus. Organizations that participated in the event included the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Rape Crisis Center, Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas, City of Edinburg and ACCESS Esperanza Clinics.

Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER
An IDEA Public School student signs his name on jeans during Denim Day Wednesday on the Quad on the Edinburg campus. Abigail Ollave/THE RIDER