On Denim Day, the University of Tartu calls on people to stand against victim-blaming towards survivors of sexual violence 27.04.2026

On 29 April, Denim Day will be marked in Estonia for the first time to express support for survivors of sexual violence and to emphasise that no choice of clothing ever constitutes consent. Everyone is invited to wear jeans on this day as a sign of solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

In 1992, an unjust court ruling was made in Italy in a sexual violence case, justified by the claim that the female victim had been wearing tight jeans. From protests against this ruling, the Denim Day movement was born. This year, led by the Social Insurance Board's victim support programme, it will be marked in Estonia for the first time. The central message of the day is that sexual violence is not caused by a person's clothing, behaviour or circumstances, but by the perpetrator's decision to cross a boundary. Consent to sex must be freely given, informed and explicit; without it, boundaries have been violated.

Kai Part, a gynaecologist, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Tartu, and expert on sexual violence crisis centres at the Social Insurance Board, emphasises that victim-blaming deepens survivors' feelings of shame and self-blame and may prevent them from seeking help. According to a study conducted by the Social Insurance Board on attitudes to sexual violence, 38% of people in Estonia agree with the statement that women themselves are to blame for being raped because of the way they dress. Such attitudes help to sustain a culture of violence.

Denim Day calls for a change in the way sexual violence is discussed. Instead of asking why a survivor wore certain clothes or behaved in a particular way, the focus should be on why someone chose to violate their boundaries. It is also important to challenge sexist jokes, comments that trivialise violence, and attitudes that blame victims.

The University of Tartu considers equal treatment to be an integral part of a safe and respectful learning and working environment. The university has a clear principle: zero tolerance for workplace bullying, unequal treatment or harassment. This stance is also reflected in the key message of the university-wide awareness initiative,"eksmatt" ("expel"), which emphasises that such behaviour has no place in the University of Tartu's value system.

The same objective is supported by a study currently being conducted at the university on sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination. At the end of April, all staff and students of the University of Tartu will receive an email invitation to take part in a survey addressing attitudes, knowledge and experiences related to these issues. The results will help the university plan more effective measures to support a safe, equal and respectful learning and working environment.

Members of the University of Tartu community can show solidarity with survivors of sexual violence by wearing jeans on 29 April and sharing the message that responsibility always lies with the perpetrator. Those who wish may use the hashtags #teksapäev and #DenimDay on social media.

For more information about Denim Day in Estonian, see the Social Insurance Board's website.

Help is available. In cases of rape, sexual assault or suspected sexual violence, contact a sexual violence crisis centre within seven days after the incident. In an emergency, call 112. The victim support crisis helpline operates 24/7 and provides crisis counselling and information about available support services.