April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month— a crucial time to rally together, educate ourselves about the harsh reality of sexual violence, and support survivors on their journey to healing. One of the most notable initiatives during this month is Denim Day, a global movement that transforms ordinary denim jeans into a powerful symbol of protest against sexual violence.

In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the compelling history of Denim Day, explore how sexual violence manifests in the context of abusive relationships, and share our staff’s unforgettable experience participating in the NYC Denim Day March and Rally.

What is Denim Day?

Denim Day was born out of a desire to challenge and change a deeply flawed narrative surrounding sexual violence.

In 1998, the Italian Supreme Court made a shocking decision to overturn a rape conviction. The justices argued that the victim’s tight jeans suggested she must have helped her attacker remove them, which they wrongly equated to consent. This outrageous ruling sent shockwaves through Italy and beyond, as it reinforced the damaging myth that clothing can determine responsibility for sexual assault.

Fired up and ready to fight back, women in the Italian Parliament staged a bold protest the very next day. They wore jeans to work in a defiant stand against the court’s decision and the misconceptions it perpetuated. This courageous act of solidarity soon blossomed into an international movement, with Denim Day now observed worldwide every April as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Sexual Violence Within Abusive Relationships

Sexual violence in the context of abusive relationships is a complex and often overlooked issue. Abusers often employ sexual violence as a weapon to exert power and control over their partners, using it to manipulate, degrade, and humiliate. It can take many forms, including rape, unwanted sexual contact, and sexual coercion.

Abusive relationships are characterized by a pattern of behaviors that are used to maintain power and control over the victim. This can include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Sexual violence is just one part of this pattern of abuse, but it can have lasting and devastating effects on the victim’s physical and emotional well-being.

Sexual violence in abusive relationships is often not recognized or reported, in part because of the shame and stigma that surrounds it. Victims may feel trapped, isolated, and powerless to leave the relationship, particularly if they are financially dependent on the abuser or have children together.

Understanding the complex ways sexual violence presents in the context of abusive relationships is crucial to supporting survivors and dismantling the systems that perpetuate abuse. By recognizing these intricate dynamics, we can better advocate for survivors and work toward effective prevention strategies.

Watch our webinar to learn more:

At Sanctuary, We #WearDenim

On April 24, 2023, Sanctuary staff members united for a cause dear to our hearts—the NYC Denim Day March and Rally. We proudly wore our denim as we marched across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn Borough Hall to Foley Square, joining forces with fellow advocates, survivors, and supporters. Together, we raised our voices against sexual violence and domestic abuse, championing a culture of consent, respect, and safety for all.

You Are Not Alone: Resources and Services for Survivors

At Sanctuary for Families, we’re committed to standing with survivors every step of the way. Our comprehensive services include clinical, legal, shelter, and economic empowerment support, all tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence in New York, please reach out to our hotline at 212-349-6009 or visit our Get Help page to learn more about our services.

If you are a student survivor of sexual assault, click here to learn how Sanctuary can help. 

SERVICES FOR STUDENT SURVIVORS

For support on a national level, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Let’s stand together, rock our denim, and create a world free from sexual violence and domestic abuse. We believe in a brighter future for all and won’t stop fighting until we get there.

This March, as we celebrate National Social Work Month, we delve deeper into the heart of Sanctuary for Families’ mission, showcasing the specialized and compassionate work our social workers do every day.

Our team of more than 80 social workers provides evidenced-based, trauma-focused therapies and support to survivors of gender violence across diverse communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, unaccompanied minor immigrant children, and survivors of trafficking, female genital mutilation/cutting, and forced marriage. Their work is tailored, sensitive, and inclusive, focusing on the unique needs of survivors, including immigrant groups such as the West African and South Asian communities.

Here is an overview of the outstanding work led by Sanctuary’s social workers:

Individual Counseling

At the core of our services, individual counseling provides a safe space for survivors of all ages and backgrounds to share their stories and embark on a healing journey. Our social workers are trained to address the profound emotional and psychological barriers survivors face post-abuse.

Group Counseling

Surviving abuse is often a solitary journey filled with challenges. Through group counseling facilitated by our social workers and art and drama therapists, we offer a supportive environment where clients can find healing and strength in the stories of others, fostering a sense of community and shared resilience.

Case Management

Our comprehensive case management services ensure that survivors’ multifaceted needs are met. From securing housing and accessing food pantries to navigating public benefits and accompanying clients to important appointments, our social workers are there every step of the way, ensuring stability and support in all life areas.

Crisis Intervention

Our helpline and crisis intervention services are lifelines for those seeking immediate escape from violence. Safety planning and support are readily available to clients and families in their most critical times of need.

Survivor Leadership

Empowerment is key in breaking the cycle of abuse. Our Survivor Leadership program offers clients who have moved beyond their abusive relationships the chance to become peer educators and advocates, contributing their voices to raise awareness and foster community outreach.

Children & Family Services

Understanding that children and families bear the brunt of domestic violence, our Children and Family Services Program is designed to minimize the effects of violence on young lives, support family healing, and prevent the intergenerational cycle of abuse. Through a variety of trauma-informed therapeutic interventions, including TF-CBT, play therapy, and group counseling, we cater to the emotional and psychological well-being of children and teens.

Our educational advocacy, tutoring, childcare, and parenting support services ensure that families have the resources and support needed to navigate the challenges of school, life transitions, and parenting after violence.

As we honor National Social Work Month, we recognize the profound impact of our social workers at Sanctuary for Families. Their dedication, expertise, and compassion are pivotal in our mission to support survivors and advocate for a world free from gender violence. Their work embodies the essence of social work—empowering individuals and communities towards healing, justice, and change.

Join us on April 4th for our Planned Giving Webinar “The Gift that Keeps Giving: How Estate Planning Benefits You, Your Loved Ones, and Future.” Learn more and RSVP.

We’re excited to launch our newly redesigned website where you can explore the perfect planned giving option for you and your family.

Making a planned gift—a contribution that is arranged in the present but allocated at a future date—is a great way to support Sanctuary’s life-saving services and programs for years to come, while receiving significant benefits in return.

By making a planned gift to Sanctuary for Families, you can:

1. Receive tax benefits, such as income and estate tax deductions.
2. Leave a lasting legacy, reflecting your values and priorities for future generations.
3. Support thousands of survivors of gender violence, even after you’re gone.
4. Maximize the impact of your philanthropy by making a larger gift to Sanctuary than possible during your lifetime.
5. Honor a loved one in a meaningful way.

If you would like to learn more about planned giving, RSVP here for our webinar on Thursday, April 4^th, or email Susan Puder at spuder@sffny.org.

If you want to save money on taxes and support Sanctuary’s mission to help survivors leave abuse behind, consider making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA.

What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

Giving a QCD is a tax-smart strategy for IRA owners to achieve maximum impact for their charitable donations. QCDs are direct transfers of up to $100,000 per person from their IRA to a qualifying charity, like Sanctuary. The donor doesn’t report QCDs as taxable income and gifting the income can lower one’s adjusted gross income (AGI,) which is used to determine the taxable portion of Social Security benefits and other deductions and credits.

What age can I start to make a QCD?

IRA owners and beneficiaries who are age 70 ½ or older qualify.

What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and how does that relate to QCDs?

Beginning at age 73, you may be subject to taking annual withdrawals known as Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as a traditional IRA. If you do not make withdrawals, you’ll be subject to pay a potentially significant penalty.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are gifts to charity that replace your receiving part or all of an RMD as taxable income.

How do QCDs help Sanctuary?

QCDs are an excellent way to fund lifetime giving in retirement years. In addition, they support our mission of providing comprehensive services to survivors of gender-based violence, including life-saving shelter, counseling support, legal assistance, and economic empowerment programs.

What do I need to do to make a QCD?

It’s simple – contact your IRA custodian and follow their procedures to request that part or all of your QCD be gifted directly to Sanctuary. It’s important to remember that the money must be paid directly from the financial institution to Sanctuary. If the funds were previously held as an asset such as stocks or bonds, the investment will be sold to transfer cash to the charitable organization.

To make use of this tax-smart giving strategy, please ensure that the check arrives with your name and address so we can thank you and send you a gift acknowledgement letter.

Questions? Contact Susan Puder at spuder@sffny.org for more information.