Standing with Survivors: City of Katy Marks Denim Day to Confront Sexual Assault and Child Abuse
Today, April 30, 2025, the City of Katy joins a nationwide movement by recognizing Denim Day, a symbolic day of action held as part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Mayor Thiele and the Katy City Council made the proclamation official at the April 14th council meeting, reaffirming their commitment to survivors and advocating for a safer, more informed community.
City officials and staff donned denim today—not as a fashion statement, but as a powerful symbol against victim-blaming and in support of those who have experienced sexual assault or abuse. Denim Day traces its origins to a 1998 Italian court case in which a rape conviction was overturned because the victim wore tight jeans. The court argued that the victim must have helped remove the jeans, implying consent. The case sparked outrage and led to Denim Day becoming an international symbol of protest against misconceptions about sexual violence.
“Denim Day serves as a powerful reminder that there is no excuse for sexual assault and no justification for victim-blaming,” stated the official proclamation.
A Widespread Issue—Locally and Nationally
Sexual assault and child abuse are not just personal tragedies—they are public health crises that affect millions. According to RAINN and the U.S. Department of Justice, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. Roughly 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men in the U.S. have experienced an attempted or completed rape. The statistics are especially troubling for youth: 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under age 18 have experienced sexual abuse.
In 2023, Child Protective Services found strong evidence for child sexual abuse every nine minutes, with tens of thousands of cases annually.
These issues are not only felt nationally, but also right here in the Katy area, where local nonprofits like Katy Christian Ministries (KCM) and the Fort Bend Women’s Center work daily to support survivors, advocate for policy change, and provide pathways to healing.
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Katy Christian Ministries: Crisis Support and Counseling
KCM’s Crisis Center stands on the frontlines, offering 24/7 crisis hotlines, trauma-informed counseling, and peer support groups in both English and Spanish. In 2023 alone, KCM assisted 3,192 survivors of domestic and sexual violence, responded to 1,141 hotline calls, and provided over 5,800 combined crisis intervention and counseling sessions.
“We meet survivors where they are in the healing process,” says Celina Wells, the Crisis Center Director for KCM. “Whether it's safety planning, therapy, legal advocacy, or shelter placement—our goal is to help each person reclaim their life, safely and with dignity.”
KCM also partners with hospitals, courts, and law enforcement, offering accompaniments and emotional support to survivors navigating these complex systems. Services are free and confidential. For help, residents can call the 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline at 281-391-HELP (4357) or the Sexual Assault Hotline at 281-693-RAPE (7273).
Fort Bend Women’s Center: Long-Term Empowerment
Just a short drive from Katy, the Fort Bend Women’s Center provides comprehensive care for survivors and their children. Beyond immediate crisis response, the center offers housing assistance, legal services, child mentoring programs, and life skills training—a holistic approach to healing and independence.
In 2024, the Women’s Center helped empower over 2,893 survivors, including 831 youth, while responding to nearly 9,000 crisis hotline calls. Their emergency shelter provided refuge to over 400 survivors, offering a safe space to begin recovery.
“We are here for as long as it takes,” says Josh Brown, the Chief Programs Officer for the Fort Bend Women's Center. “Healing from trauma is a journey, and we walk it alongside every survivor who comes through our doors.”
Their 24-hour hotline is 281-342-HELP (4357).
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A United Community Response
The City of Katy’s formal recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month, and its support of Denim Day, highlights a broader truth: change requires community. Combating sexual violence and child abuse means confronting harmful myths, supporting victim-centered services, and encouraging open conversations about prevention and accountability.
Through the ongoing efforts of organizations like Katy Christian Ministries and Fort Bend Women’s Center, survivors are finding safety, healing, and a renewed sense of hope.
Today, as city officials wear denim in solidarity, they send a clear message: there is no excuse, and there is never an invitation to rape.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, help is available 24/7.
- Katy Christian Ministries Crisis Line: 281-391-HELP (4357)
- Katy Christian Ministries Sexual Assault Hotline: 281-693-RAPE (7273)
- Fort Bend Women’s Center Hotline: 281-342-HELP (4357)
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
