The Jeans That Show Up Every April

Every April, a pair of jeans appears in our office.

They’re not there all year long. They’re placed intentionally during that month for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. At the beginning, they’re simple. Just denim. But over time, they begin to change.

More Than Just Jeans

We leave a Sharpie by the jeans. As people come in and out of the office, some choose to write on them. Not everyone! And there is no expectation. But for those who want to, it can become a place to leave something behind...a message, a reminder, a few words that might mean something to someone else.

By the end of April, the denim is covered. And what started as a simple object becomes something much more meaningful.

Why Jeans?

Because, there’s a question that sometimes still shows up in conversations around sexual assault:

“Well, what were they wearing?”

It’s often asked as if the answer could explain what happened. But clothing has never been the cause. The jeans are a quiet way of pushing back on that idea. Because they could represent anything. Any outfit. Any person. Any moment. And they remind us that responsibility never belongs to what someone was wearing.

What They Come to Represent

Over the course of the month, the messages begin to layer. Words of support, belief, that remind the readers they're not alone. Some are written for others. Some are written for themselves.

Together, they create something collective.

Not just one single story of surviving, but a shared understanding: support matters. People deserve to be believed. And healing is possible.

If You Visit This Month

If you find yourself in our office during the month of April, you’ll see them. You're welcome to take a moment to read what’s been written. To reflect. And, you’re invited to add something of your own. There’s no pressure, no expectation. Just an open space.

How We Support at Kodiak

At Kodiak Counseling, we know that healing from sexual assault doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people want to talk. Some people don’t know where to start. Some just need a space that feels safe and steady. Our role isn’t to rush that process.

It’s to meet people where they are, with support that’s grounded, respectful, and at their pace. Whether that’s through conversation, approaches like Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or simply creating an environment where people feel seen without needing to explain everything.

A Small Thing That Means Something

They’re just a pair of jeans. But for one month each year, they hold a lot more than that. They hold messages people needed to hear. They hold reminders that shift the conversation. They hold space for anyone who needs it.