April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It's a difficult topic, no question.
Removing the stigma surrounding sexual assault and abuse, bringing the conversation to the forefront and out of the shadows, educating, speaking out, ending victim-blaming, and supporting survivors are the best defenses. So much has been done, with so much more to do.
It's worthy of our time. Of everyone's time. Here at CBT, we decided to act on one of our mottos – BE BOLD – and do what we can to help. For our April #DoersOfGood campaign, we're taking the message to all our offices and asking our Realtors®, staff, and managers to come together to support organizations in our areas who work hard to assist women in our local communities. We've asked them to purchase a #CBTDenimDay button, donate gently used professional clothing, and wear their jeans on April 27th, the 24th annual National Denim Day. 100% of the funds raised in each region, along with additional funds from CBT, will be donated to the corresponding organizations listed below. Clothing donations will stay local, as well.
Denim Day grew out of an Italian Supreme Court decision overturning a rape conviction of an 18-year-old girl because she was wearing tight jeans. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day is a visible means of protest against victim-blaming and sexual violence.
The organizations we are coming together to support are:
Spokane area:
YWCA – Our Sister's Closet, www.ywcaspokane.org
Tri-Cities area:
Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin Counties, www.dvsbf.org
Lewiston/Moscow/Pullman:
Lewiston YWCA, ywcaidaho.orgAlternatives to Violence of the Palouse, www.atvp.org
Boise area:
Women's and Children's Alliance, www.wcaboise.com
Idaho Falls area:
The Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center, www.dvsacac.org
To help, the ask is simple: wear your jeans on April 27th and speak out. To learn about more ways you can help – or if you need assistance, visit one of the sites above.