Community Corner

Morris County Denim Day: 5k for Sexual Violence Awareness

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Sunday on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station.

With a new name, Morris CARES — formerly the Morris County Sexual Assault Center (MCSAC) — is revving up for the fourth annual Denim Day this Sunday. They’re running the event jointly with members of the Morris Alliance to Prevent Sexual Assault.

A decade ago, Italian judges did not convict a rapist because the victim wore tight jeans and, they reasoned, her attack could not have been rape; she must have helped the rapist remove them. Since then, rape crisis centers around the world have recognized both the absurdity and the danger of this type of thinking by marking “Denim Day” and challenging their communities to wear jeans and sponsoring a host of prevention activities.

“We are asking people in Morris County to wear jeans or something denim and come join us at the College of St. Elizabeth from 10:30 – 1 p.m.,” said Denise Lang, Coordinator of Morris CARES, formerly Morris County Sexual Assault Center.

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This is a tough subject and most people shy away, but that’s exactly why we need to bring it out into the open. Until sexual assault survivors are encouraged to speak out as the victims of crime that they are, we – as a society – collude in letting rapists and child molesters go free.”

Here’s a rundown of the Morris County Denim Day, which will take place on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth (CSE), Convent Station:

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • 10 a.m.—Registration
  • 10:30 a.m.—5k run/walk will kick off
  • After the 5k: live music, survivors speaking out regarding their stories, jeans decorating, a T-shirt display and an address by Morris County’s new Prosecutor, Fredric Knapp.
  • The event will run three hours
  • There will be a table where the public can decorate jeans with messages of advocacy or support and information tables sponsored by MAPSA agency members including CSE, the Mental Health Association, the Family Health Center, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Drew University.
  • Live music will be provided by the popular NJ-based band, Alan Grant and Primitive Soul which has donated its talents every year.

Anyone wishing more information regarding the Denim Day event, the 5K Walk/Run or to make a donation can call Abdul Staten at Morris CARES at 973-971-4715.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here