President Tracie Kroeger presents a donation check to Renewal House member Colleen Anderson. Pictured from left front are Sharon Garvey, Martha McKee, Myrna O'Neil, Tracie Kroeger, Colleen Anderson, Linda Tiernan Smith, Mary Lou Ashley, Mary Ellen Donnelly, Kathaleen Brugel, Pam Neal, Sheila Shaver, Ashley Durham, Sherin Cunningham, Gloria McLear, Gail Bouchard, Harriett Beggs, Chelsea Hotaling, Melanie Flack, Judy Ryan, Paula Jacques, Cindy Barry, Ann O'Connor, Kim Cilley, Barb Wood and Mytha Smith.

OGDENSBURG -- The Ogdensburg Area Zonta Club recently hosted a “Denim Day” dinner at the Gran View Restaurant to show support for victims of sexual assault.

Individuals are encouraged to wear jeans for Denim Day, April 24, to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault.

Denim Day arose following the 1997 arrest of a 45-year-old driving instructor from Rome.

It is alleged that when he picked up an 18-year-old girl for her first driving lesson, he raped her for an hour, then told her that if she was to tell anyone he would kill her.

While the alleged rapist was convicted and sentenced, the Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 1998 because the victim wore tight jeans. It was argued that she must have helped her attacker remove her jeans, thus making the act consensual.

The Italian Supreme Court stated in its decision “it is a fact of common experience that it is nearly impossible to slip off tight jeans even partly without the active collaboration of the person who is wearing them."