Oakland County, Michigan, April 15, 2009 -- Employees at the Oakland County Clerk & Register of Deeds Office will break out their blue jeans for Denim Day on Wednesday, April 22, to raise money to help victims of domestic and sexual assault in Oakland County, announced Clerk Ruth Johnson.

Money raised by the special casual day - observed during April as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month - offers employees the chance to wear blue jeans to work for a $3 donation. The money raised will go to HAVEN, a shelter for abused and at-risk families in Oakland County.

"This money will go to help provide a safe environment for victims," said Johnson. "We are very happy to participate again this year because HAVEN has done so much for children, women and families in our community."

Denim Day, observed in several states and internationally, began in protest to a 1997 Italian sexual assault conviction that was overturned because the 17-year-old victim was wearing tight jeans at the time of the attack. Women in the Italian Parliament, angry at the ruling, protested by gathering on the steps of the Parliament, each wearing blue jeans.

"The message we'll be sending is important," said Johnson. "By wearing jeans on April 22, we will help spread the message that this kind of violence won't be tolerated."

"Having the support of Ruth Johnson and the Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds Office is wonderful," said Beth Morrison, CEO and president of HAVEN. "The success of Denim Day is less about wearing denim but more about raising awareness of the crime of sexual assault. Having the support of this great group of citizens is key. I know by their participation, many in our community will walk away with critical and maybe even life saving information."

Johnson is encouraging the public to support HAVEN as well. Donations may be sent directly to HAVEN at: Denim Day, Attention Holly Thomas, HAVEN, P.O. Box 431045, Pontiac, MI 48343.

Media members are welcome to join us for Denim Day. For media inquiries only or to talk with Ruth Johnson, please call the Clerk's Office at (248) 858-0168.

HAVEN (Help Against Violent Encounters Now) was founded in 1975 in conjunction with the Pontiac YWCA as an all-volunteer crisis line for sexual assault victims.