Local Voice for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April 27, 2017 4:02 PM
by Constance Farrell

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. To help raise awareness, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. collaborated with Peace Over Violence to bring Denim Day to Santa Monica. At its April 26 meeting, the Santa Monica City Council declared April 26 Denim Day in Santa Monica.

So what is Denim Day? It’s an annual rape prevention and education campaign where the non-profit Peace Over Violence asks community members, elected officials, businesses, and students to wear jeans as a visible way to protest myths surrounding sexual assault. Learn more about that here.

Commissioner Elena Christopoulos from the Commission on the Status of Women is a rape survivor and she shared her story as part of the campaign, inspiring others to rise and speak out against sexual assault. She bravely did this on a stage on the Third Street Promenade joined by Mayor Ted Winterer, DTSM, and Peace Over Violence before a concert given by Maya Jupiter and Aloe Blacc. Elena's speech was powerful, and speaks for itself. Read her remarks below, or watch here.

I am Elena Christopoulos, a resident of Santa Monica, a Commissioner on the Status of Women, and a rape survivor.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, reminding us that there is NO excuse and NEVER an invitation to rape. This is the mantra for Denim Day, a day to unite in our defiance of a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that, since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent.

Sexual violence is a global epidemic. Denim Day was sparked by a court case in Italy. My court case happened in Canada.

I was raped when I was a university student in Canada in the 90’s. So, I know first-hand what it is like to be afraid, to feel like your voice doesn’t matter, to be silenced. I am here today to let survivors of sexual violence know that you deserve to be believed, supported, heard, and respected.

I kept this secret with me for a really long time, almost 20 years. During all of those years, I had a successful career, breaking down barriers and opening doors for women to engage in science and politics. But, there was one door that I couldn’t walk through myself, and that was to disclose that rape had happened to me.

After I was appointed as a Commissioner, again working to empower the lives of women and girls, I found my voice on this subject. All those years that I was an advocate for equality and for survivors I never said, “me too.” I came to understand that I had a story inside of me that story had to be told in a public way. This is why I stand in front of you tonight, in my truth, with no shame.

I unlocked the secret inside of me. Since then, another form of healing has taken place. I have come to understand that vulnerability is strength. I only started living fully when I spoke my truth about being a survivor.

Survivors are leading the way to make these changes. I AM HERE! I know that there are many of you out there, saying “ME TOO!”

That’s why the Denim Day movement is so important. Together WE can do this!

For more information about Denim Day, please visit denimdayinfo.org.

Authored By

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager