Oakland County, Michigan, Wednesday, April 16, 2008 -- Ruth Johnson is not a fan of blue jeans in the work place, but she wore them Wednesday to help promote HAVEN's upcoming Denim Day on April 23, 2008.

"I think this is the first time I've worn jeans to work, and that includes 10 years as a county commissioner, six years as a state representative and nearly four years as the county clerk," Johnson said. "My 8-year-old daughter looked at me this morning and said, 'I can't believe you're wearing blue jeans to work!"

The Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is helping to support HAVEN's first-ever local Denim Day efforts on April 23. Everyone is encouraged to wear jeans as a means to raise awareness and educate the public about sexual assault. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Denim Day began in protest to a 1997 Italian sexual assault conviction that was overturned because the victim, a 17-year-old girl who was raped by her 56-year-old driving instructor, was wearing tight jeans at the time of the attack. Enraged, women in the Italian Parliament protested the ruling by gathering on the steps of the Italian Parliament - each wearing blue jeans. Denim Day is now celebrated in California and several other states across the nation to raise awareness.

Clerk/Register employees will go one step further, donating $3 for the opportunity to wear jeans to work on April 23. All money raised will go to HAVEN to provide a safe environment for victims, Johnson said.

"This isn't just a fashion statement, by wearing jeans we will be spreading the message that sexual assault and violence can't be tolerated," said Ruth Johnson. "HAVEN is such a wonderful organization, serving families, women and children for 33 years. We are so pleased to join with them in this effort."

Morrison said even today it isn't unheard of for victims to be "blamed" for assaults because of what they were wearing.  "What we wear, where we go and what we do is a personal choice," Morrison said. "It doesn't give anyone the right to take advantage of anyone else. Those who commit assaults are criminals."

Morrison and Johnson wore plenty of denim Monday, from dresses to denim hats, to draw attention to local Denim Day efforts.

Morrison said Denim Day is held in April because it is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month. HAVEN has a list of additional activities listed on their website, www.haven-oakland.org.

"We're very happy to have Ruth Johnson and the Clerk's Office on board with our first-ever Denim Day - obviously they are people committed to HAVEN's mission of eliminating violence," Morrison said. She said Oakland University staff members have also expressed interest in participating in Denim Day.

HAVEN is Oakland County's center for the prevention and treatment of domestic and sexual violence. Businesses who would like to participate by having their employees wear jeans on Denim Day may call HAVEN for additional information at (248) 334-1284.

Johnson may be reached at (248) 858-0168.