By Sam Desatoff

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and there are a number of activities on campus promoting the prevention of sexual assault.

Today from noon to 2 p.m. in the Free Speech Area, the 15th annual Denim Day will take place. The event commemorates a 1992 sexual assault case in Italy where a suspected rapist was set free on the grounds that the victim was wearing jeans allegedly too tight to remove under confrontational situations. Courts ruled that this pointed to consensual sex.

The event, hosted jointly by Peace Over Violence and Fresno State’s Students Providing Empowerment, Advocacy and Knowledge (S.P.E.A.K), calls for supporters to wear jeans in a show of solidarity.

“Wearing jeans in solidarity is one of the easiest ways to show support for victims of sexual assault,” said Jessica Adams, interim coordinator at Fresno State’s Women’s Resource Center. “It’s not hard to show solidarity.”

S.P.E.A.K. vice president Breayre Tender provided more information on Denim Day, saying “Come on out and join us in the decoration and hanging of jeans on our beautiful Fresno State campus,” she said. “There will be games and prizes for those who participate and a chance to bring awareness to the cause.”

In past years, Denim Day was hosted by the Violence Prevention Project, but due to budget cuts the organization is no longer active. Adams said she hopes to get the project up and running again soon.

S.P.E.A.K. has origins in the Violence Prevention Project but continues to operate despite its absence. The student organization specializes in performing skits in an effort to raise awareness of sexual assault.

Also taking place this month is the Handprint Project on Wednesday, April 30, in Fresno State’s Peace Garden. Supporters can lend their handprint in a pledge against sexual assault.

“This is Fresno State’s first time hosting a Handprint Project,” Adams said. “We are attempting to take a more proactive approach to raise awareness of sexual assault.”

The Handprint Project came to be through a renewed effort to stop violent sexual crimes. A letter issued by the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights in 2011 has had significant effects on Title IX. Because of severe backlash over a rash of sexual assault cases on college campuses, most education establishments now have Title IX offices that are concentrated on efforts to alleviate sexual crimes at schools.

“The Vagina Monologues” will also be performed April 30 in the North Gym. The stage show is a worldwide movement that raises awareness of sexual violence against women.

The play, written by Eve Ensler in 1996, has become synonymous with women’s rights. This year’s showing at Fresno State will include a number of student actors recounting the stories of those affected by sexual violence.

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for the general public.