Osceola commissioners proclaim April 30, 2025, Denim Day to support sexual-violence survivors

The Osceola Board of County Commissioners unanimously proclaimed April 30, 2025, as Denim Day to mark a national awareness campaign opposing rape myths and supporting survivors of sexual violence.

The proclamation recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and cites Denim Day, a grassroots campaign begun in 1999, as a long-running effort to challenge misconceptions that blame victims. The board voted to adopt the proclamation by voice vote after a motion and second; Commissioners voiced their support and the motion carried unanimously.

Louie Damiani, executive director of the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, thanked the board for its continued support and described the center’s local work. “Our organization provides help and healing for victims of violent crime, sexual assault, and any other kind of traumatic event. We are the only crisis center that serves Central Florida,” Damiani said. He told the board the center responded to a person in crisis “381 times last year alone,” said it provided over 3,500 individual therapeutic sessions, and that its hotline handled calls (reported at the meeting as approximately 2,200). Damiani said all services are free to clients and urged community participation in Denim Day activities.

Damiani noted regional participation by cities and counties, and directed residents to victimservicecenter.org for information, downloadable materials, and the Denim Day social-media hashtag. Commissioners and the Victim Service Center representatives took photographs after the proclamation.

The proclamation directs county recognition of Denim Day on April 30, 2025, and expresses the board’s support for survivor services and public education efforts.

The board moved on to remaining agenda business after the proclamation.