Welcome to Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter

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

Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter is looking to hire a part-time (may eventually become full-time) who has an interest in working with victims and survivors of domestic violence. Experience working with families in crisis from various social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds is a plus, but not a requirement. This individual must be able to observe and assess human behavior while also demonstrating the ability to provide services to clients in a sensitive and empathetic manner. CBFS seeks a committed individual who can be assertive, diplomatic, and resourceful. We provide all the training.

High School Diploma Required! Drug, alcohol testing, and background checks are required. DWI convictions must not have occurred in the past seven (7) years. Applicants with a history of felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude or domestic violence need not apply. A valid New Mexico Driver’s License and current vehicle liability insurance and registration required. Pay depends upon education and experience.   

EVERYONE DESERVES A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP.