Sexual abuse survivors are using the platform to speak up and show that what happened to them does not define who they are.
Users have been creating videos opening up about their assaults, as a way to “reclaim” their worth and show that they’re no less of a human being because of what happened to them.
In some of the videos, they show the outfits they were wearing when they were raped, use paint to show where they were touched by the person who assaulted them, or address their abusers directly, to the Imagine Dragons song, It’s Time To Begin.
@yung_maudHAPPY DENIM DAY!! However strong you think you are, you are STRONGER♬ original sound – audío.bear
The first few videos posted to the platform inspired more people who are victims of sexual violence to step out, and other users uploaded videos showing their support for the survivors.
The trend was started as a way to celebrate Denim Day, which is a day dedicated to raising awareness of rape and sexual violence in honour of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
@helovestrinityyThank you for listening to my story. ##onecommunity♬ original sound – audío.bear
Denim Day began in Italy in the 1990s after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, where a rape conviction was overturned because the Justice felt that, since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must’ve helped the person who assaulted her remove them, therefore implying consent.
Enraged by the verdict, many Italian women protested on the steps of the Supreme Court, wearing jeans. This act of protest has since grown into a movement, with thousands of women campaigning to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths surrounding sexual violence.
@sticksy617I felt nervous to post this yesterday, but honestly it needs to be said ##denimday♬ original sound – audío.bear
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