The 50 Shades of Purple Project presented a check for $1,000 to Tri-County SANE/SART. Shown are, from left, SANE/SART Nurse Tamara Kilbride, Corrine McRitchie, Brooke Hensley and Leah Holmes. (Submitted photo)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Five years ago, a group of locals got together to become the voice of victims of sexual assault. They formed the 50 Shades of Purple Project and started the journey to providing advocacy and education for abuse victims. On April 30, they hosted the Denim Day Fashion Show at The Gristmill in Port Clinton to spread the word about assault and to raise funds to support those who have suffered through it.

The Denim Day Fashion Show raised $1,000 for the Tri-County SANE/SART (sexual assault nurse examiner and sexual assault response team) Program. In June, the organization presented the donation to Tamara Kilbride, a SANE/SART nurse. Kilbride performs victim exams to collect evidence, and she offers outreach programs at local schools.

“The money we donated to the program goes to outreach efforts, and it provides clothes for victims to wear when they leave the hospital,” said 50 Shades of Purple Project board member, Corrine McRitchie.

The Denim Day Fashion Show was more than a fundraiser. It also served as a way to educate the public on human rights.

Denim Day male model, Adrian Cantu, is a longtime supporter of the 50 Shades of Purple Project. (Submitted photo)

“We do the fashion show to share the message that, if someone is dressed provocatively, that does not give someone the right to assault them or degrade them,” McRitchie said.

Denim Day is an international event that was inspired by the experience of a young woman who was assaulted by her driving instructor during her first driving lesson. The Italian Supreme Court overturned her assailant’s conviction because of the way the victim was dressed. Denim Day became an international cry against victim blaming and an empowering violence prevention and education campaign.

Locally, that mission is carried forth by the 50 Shades of Purple Project.

“At the fashion show, people can express themselves in an atmosphere that is very empowering,” McRitchie said. “We always pick local people for this.”

Some models participate as an expression of their own experiences, and some volunteer to support others. This year, Denim Day featured men for the first time.

“This year was exciting because we had five male models. That part of the population is not always supported,” McRitchie said.

Denim Day, held at The Gristmill, raised $1,000 and helped spread the word about victims’ rights. (Submitted photo)

The event had tremendous support from the community. Organizations who offered significant support include Joyful Connections, Ottawa County Transitional Housing and the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center. Everyone who contributed to the event in any way helped advance the mission of 50 Shades of Purple.

“We are dedicated to advocating for victims of violence and abuse through education and empowerment,” McRitchie said. “Our vision is to lessen the prevalence of domestic violence and abuse in our community.”

For more information, visit the 50 Shades of Purple Project Facebook page.