RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network)
Mission
"RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice," (RAINN).
Public Policy
RAINN has a policy team that works on federal and state levels to improve the criminal justice system, prevent sexual assault, and seek justice for survivors. RAINN's policy team:
- Creates and advocates for legal reform that will help survivors and make communities safer.
- Work closely with the Departments of Justice, Education, and Health & Human Services to reform federal response to sexual violence.
- Lead the national effort to end the rape kit backlog and collaborate with allies to promote state action on this policy.
- Maintain the Laws in Your State database to help sexual assault survivors understand their rights and the rights of sexual assault survivors across the country.
Public Education
RAINN's employees work to ensure communities are as educated as possible. They are recognized as a go-to source for media seeking expertise or commentary regarding sexual assault cases and arguments. RAINN also:
- Collaborates with the entertainment industry to ensure representations of crimes and their aftermath are accurate.
- Maintains an active social media presence on multiple platforms to ensure they can respond to national events and advertise their 24/7 national hotline.
- Operates the Speakers Bureau, a network of 3,500 survivors who volunteer to share their stories with communities or on social media.
- Works with students to increase visibility of sexual assault prevention, recovery, and policy reform on and around campus.
Victim Services
RAINN offers several services to survivors of sexual assault, including:
- Their national sexual assault hotline (this can be found on the home page of this site).
- A DoD safe hotline for members of the Department of Defense community who have been assaulted.
- Several technologies and services offered to universities, organizations, and government agencies.
- Training services and over 1,000 local sexual assault service provider partners.
- Work with volunteers all over the country to make a difference.
Student Activism
Students can do so much to show support and fight for reform in their community with the help of RAINN:
- Participate in RAINN Day
- Spread the word on social media by connecting survivors with RAINN and their resources, educating your friends and community, advocating for survivors by tagging RAINN or using their hashtags, donating, or using RAINN's Policy Action Center to directly contact Congress for change.
- Request a survivor to speak at an event at your school or in your community.
Consulting and Training
"RAINN’s consulting and subject matter experts work with clients across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to develop targeted, effective sexual violence education and response programs. RAINN’s services prepare organizations to effectively provide education about sexual violence and to respond to incidents in a way that facilitates healing and promotes safe and healthy communities. To do this, we offer a variety of specialized consulting services to meet each organization’s unique needs, including hotline services, consulting, program assessments, and education and training," (RAINN).
