The shelter is located in Carlsbad, NM.
Here at the Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter, we provide a safe and supportive environment for families in need when fleeing domestic violence. Our mission is to empower survivors and help them rebuild their lives. We offer a range of services including shelter, counseling , and more. Please explore our website to learn more about us and how we can help you or someone you know.
The Denim Day story begins in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year old girl was raped by the 45-year old driving instructor who was taking her to her very first driving lesson. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, removed her jeans and forcefully raped her.
She reports the rape and the perpetrator is arrested and prosecuted. He is then convicted of rape and sentenced to jail. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming that they had consensual sex. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction and the perpetrator was released. A statement from the Court argued that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not rape but consensual sex. This became known throughout Italy as the “jeans alibi.”
Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. This protest was picked up by international media which inspired the California Senate and Assembly to do the same on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento. Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence, saw this in the media and thought everyone should be wearing jeans to protest all of the myths about why women and girls are raped. Denim Day in LA was born. The first Denim Day in LA event was held in April of 1999, and has continued annually since.
For more information on the case, visit The New York Times’ coverage.
*Information copied from denimday.org
EVERYONE DESERVES A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP.
We at Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter want to make sure that victims of domestic violence will have someone to call when they are in need of safety and shelter.
24 Hour Crisis Line-
575-885-4615
Our job here is to help you with dignity and respect. Our shelter is safe and confidential for you and your children. We hope that we can help you to move past this time of crisis with as little trouble as possible.
Support Groups, as well as Individual sessions are provided here at our shelter, by our Peer Counselor. Other services such as referrals to other agencies, assistance with restraining orders, and other legal help can also be arranged by an appointment,
Monday-Friday at
575-885-4615.
CBFS Staff at the Advocacy In Action Conference - JANUARY 2025
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