Charity to reclaim streets in denim demonstration

Jersey Action Against Rape said the Denim Day March will take place in St Helier on Saturday

A Jersey charity said it was "reclaiming the streets" of St Helier by holding a denim demonstration campaigning for "change in law, changes in structure and better support for survivors" of sexual violence.

Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) said a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) report identified St Helier as a place where they felt "unsafe".

For the first time, the charity said the Denim Day March is set to take place on Saturday from 11:00 to 13:00 GMT.

Communication officer Brooke Le Breton said Denim Day was recognised internationally and shows solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

Jersey Action Against Rape said the march was important to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence

"I think sometimes there's an attitude that Jersey is immune from these kinds of things happening and that's not true," she said.

"It is really important to have a day like this to mark it, to stand in solidarity with survivors and press for positive change for those survivors."

People are encouraged to wear denim, bring banners, posters and placards to the march which begins from West Centre and concludes at Royal Square, passing through Charing Cross.

Ms Le Breton said there would be a marching band at the beginning of the march, and speeches from a survivor of sexual violence as well as the charity's CEO.

'Huge difference'

"We want people to see us, we want to be loud and we want to make noise about this issue," she added.

"We would like to see a shift in attitude and culture around survivors.

"There is still a lot of shame and blame upon survivors and obviously we are pressing for change in law, changes in structure and better support for survivors.

"All of these changes will make a huge difference in our culture around sexual violence."