Staff at Phoenix VA Health Care System Wear Denim to Make a Strong Statement
Employees at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System took part in Denim Day at the Carl T. Hayden Medical Center and its community-based outpatient clinics throughout the area, April 26.
“It is important that we stand together against sexual assault, harassment, and domestic violence,” said Phoenix VA Health Care System Executive Director Bryan Matthews. “If anyone reports sexual violence, report it immediately. And to our survivors – we believe you, and we believe in you.”
The PVAHCS Team took part in Denim Day to stand together in making a statement – they stand together against military sexual trauma, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence.
“I am glad to be a part of a group that pushes sexual assault and awareness to the forefront with the subtle reminder that what you wear is not an indicator of consent or anything,” said Meagan Monteiro, chief of veteran experience for the Phoenix VHA. “I appreciate the VA’s recognition of Denim Day and Sexual Assault and Awareness Month, and that they are a strong partner in combatting that.”
Members of the PVAHCS team showed their support during Denim Day by wearing jeans, denim jackets denim hair bands, swatches of denim with a white ribbon, and other denim accessories.
“Denim Day is about recognizing and calling out the antiquated notion that sexual assault is related to what someone is wearing,” said Theresa Gonzalez, a lead medical lab scientist for the Phoenix VHA. “Those ideas have no place in an equitable society and no place at VHA.”
This is also an important day for Justin Crawford, a Registered Nurse at the Phoenix VHA, who used to run a violence prevention program.
"I ran a violence prevention program for more than a decade," said Crawford. "I support all efforts to bring awareness to sexual violence."
The Denim Day campaign began in the late 1990s after an Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction. During the case, the justices stated that consent was implied because the jeans worn by the victim were so tight they require help removing. The following day, women in the parliament wore jeans in solidarity with her. Denim Day was created in response to this and the activism that surrounded it has grown to show support for survivors of sexual violence everywhere, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, and/or ethnicity.
“The VA is a place of healing and recovery,” said Shareef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health “A VA free of harassment and sexual assault is vital for all who enter our facilities – whether seeking treatment, supporting a Veteran or working to provide the best care for Veterans. Participating in Denim Day is also an opportunity to educate others about VHA’s efforts to promote a positive environment, such as the newly launched Dignity and Respect Campaign and the many supportive resources VA has for survivors.”