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Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

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Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
AbbreviationRAINN
FoundedJune 8, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-06-08)[1]
FounderScott Berkowitz
Type501(c)(3)[2]
52-1886511[2]
Legal statusNonprofit organization
PurposeTo help survivors and their loved ones and run programs to prevent rape and hold perpetrators accountable.[3]
Location
Area served
United States
Scott Berkowitz[3]
Reagan Burke[3]
Katharine Miller[3]
Traci Sefi[3]
Key people
Regan Burke,
Christina Ricci,
Tori Amos
Revenue (2020)
$15,833,865[3]
Expenses (2020)$11,618,798[3]
Employees258[3] (in 2019)
Volunteers (2019)
4,000[3]
Websitewww.rainn.org

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is an American nonprofit anti-sexual assault organization, the largest in the United States.[4] RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, as well as the Department of Defense Safe Helpline, and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice through victim services, public education, public policy, and consulting services.[5]

RAINN was founded in 1994 by Scott Berkowitz, with initial funding from The Atlantic Group and Warner Music Group.[6] Tori Amos was the organization's first spokesperson.[7][8][9] Christina Ricci has been the national spokesperson since April 25, 2007,[10] and she is a member of its National Leadership Council.[11][12]

History

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RAINN was founded in 1994 by Scott Berkowitz.[6] In 2006, its National Sexual Assault Hotline received its one-millionth caller.[13]

In 2014, RAINN attracted controversy for its criticism of the concept of rape culture and its promotion of primarily criminal justice system solutions in its recommendations to the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault.[14] In response, Zerlina Maxwell created the hashtag "#RapeCultureIsWhen."[15] Wagatwe Wanjuki,[16]Amanda Marcotte,[17]Jessica Valenti,[18] and others asserted that rape culture exists and denounced relying on the criminal justice system to prevent sexual violence on college campuses.[19][20]

After Senate unanimously reauthorized the Debbie Smith Act in May 2019, RAINN gathered 32,000 signatures from online petitions in hopes to push Senate Bill 820 toward House passage. The Debbie Smith Act, which aims to eliminate the backlog of untested DNA and rape kit evidence by allocating $151 million annually to state and local labs, was passed by the House in December 2019.[21][22]

In February 2022, RAINN supported the EARN IT Act, which removes blanket immunity for violations of laws related to online child sexual abuse material (CSAM). U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize tech companies to remove child sexual abuse imagery on their platforms.[23] Also in February, RAINN partnered with Congresswoman Deborah Ross and Congressman Dave Joyce on the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) Act, which is designed to address the nation-wide shortage of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) and improve care for survivors of sexual violence. It bill was also endorsed by the American Nurses Association and the National Network to End Domestic Violence.[24]

In April 2022, Insider published an article about RAINN's workplace culture in which 22 current and former staff members alleged racism and sexism. A rape survivor story by a higher-ranked Navy physician was chosen to be published on RAINN's web site, but later was not published due to Berkowitz not wanting to jeopardize RAINN's $2 million contract with the United States Department of Defense. When The Lily interviewed a woman for International Women's Day, she said she was tired of the homophobic lies about the LGBTQ community, which risk the murder of black trans women. The interview noted the woman was employed at RAINN. RAINN's vice president of communications said the interview was "too controversial" and might jeopardize RAINN's contract with the Department of Defense, and the employee was fired later that day.[25] Six of RAINN's executives resigned soon after Insider published its investigation.[26]

RAINN supported the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2022, which passed the United States Senate on November 15, 2022, as well as Congress on December 6, 2022. The act reauthorizes funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and provides support to investigate and arrest perpetrators of sex offenses against children.[27][28]

In December 2022, RAINN collaborated with HBO on an original documentary series titled Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo, which tells the story of child sexual abuse within the La Luz del Mundo church.[29]

National Sexual Assault Hotline

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The National Sexual Assault Hotline is a 24-hour, toll-free phone service that routes callers to the nearest local sexual assault service provider. More than 1,000 local partnerships are associated with RAINN to provide sexual assault victims with free, confidential services.[30] Since 2008, RAINN has provided anonymous, on-line crisis support through its National Sexual Assault Online Hotline via instant messaging.[31]

Professional wrestler and writer Mick Foley is a member of RAINN's national leadership council and has worked as a volunteer on its online hotline. He became involved with the charity through his friendship with Tori Amos, his favorite musician.[32] During a 15-month period ending in April 2011, Foley logged more than 550 hours talking to victims online. The same month, he offered to mow anyone's lawn who donated up to a certain amount to the organization, saying, "If you want to help survivors of sexual assault, or just want to see a big guy with long hair mowing your lawn in front of your friends, please take part..."[33][34][35]

During the Depp v. Heard trial, RAINN noted an increase in hotline calls. RAINN says it provided help to 28% more people in May 2022 than in May 2021, and, on verdict day, it served 35% more people than on average.[36] Following the premiere of Surviving R. Kelly III: The Final Chapter, calls to RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline increased by 46%.[37]

RAINN Day

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RAINN sponsors an annual campaign geared toward raising awareness and educating students about sexual violence, bystander intervention, and recovery resources on college campuses. Since 2018, RAINN Day is held every April to coincide with Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM).[38][39]

Public positions

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RAINN has published press releases in support of multiple survivors facing media scrutiny, including Christine Blasey Ford.[40]

RAINN's president, Scott Berkowitz, has also issued multiple public statements, including his belief that arguing against the Keystone pipeline's expansion as a potential conduit of sexual violence is "unusual":[41]

I've not heard this one before as an argument against the expansion of commerce, said Scott Berkowitz, president of Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. Workplace-related violence is not terribly unusual, but I think that as an argument for or against a pipeline it's a little unusual.

When a former staff assistant in Joe Biden's U.S. Senate office alleged that Biden had sexually assaulted her in 1993, RAINN tweeted,

We appreciate Vice President Biden finally addressing Tara Reade's allegations. These allegations deserve a rigorous investigation, and we urge Vice President Biden to release any and all records that may be relevant, including those housed at the University of Delaware, in addition to any Senate records housed at the National Archives. We urge him, his campaign, and former staff to cooperate fully and provide complete transparency.[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "RAPE, ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK (RAINN) - Initial File Number: 941826[permanent dead link‍]". Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Government of the District of Columbia. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Rape Abuse And Incest National Network Inc. Archived 2022-05-24 at the Wayback Machine" Tax Exempt Organization Search. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax Archived 2022-05-24 at the Wayback Machine". Rape Abuse & Incest National Network. Internal Revenue Service. May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Resource List: RAINN: Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network". Stop Abuse For Everyone. 2005-01-05. Archived from the original on July 5, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
  5. ^ "About RAINN". RAINN. 2018. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Jaeger, Barbara (July 3, 1994). "Who: What, Where, When Archived 2022-05-25 at the Wayback Machine". The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey). Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Reminder: Make a contribution to RAINN in honor of Tori's 40th birthday!". 20 August 2003. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  8. ^ "Amos still displaying her ivory powers". CNN. December 11, 2009. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  9. ^ Jacobs, Jay S. (2006). Pretty Good Years: A Biography of Tori Amos. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 56. ISBN 1-4234-0022-4.
  10. ^ Martinez, Edecio (September 11, 2009). "Christina Ricci Shines Light on Sexual Violence in Huffington Post Archived 2022-05-25 at the Wayback Machine". The Huffington Post
  11. ^ "Leadership and Governance". RAINN. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on November 9, 2016.
  12. ^ "RAINN Announces National Leadership Council Members Archived 2022-05-27 at the Wayback Machine". RAINN. August 23, 2018.
  13. ^ "RAINN Commemorates One Million Callers to the National Sexual Assault Hotline". RAINN. September 6, 2006. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
  14. ^ Kitchens, Caroline (March 20, 2014). "It's Time to End 'Rape Culture' Hysteria". Time. Archived from the original on October 10, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  15. ^ Maxwell, Zerlina (March 27, 2014). "Rape Culture Is Real". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  16. ^ Wanjuki, Wagatwe (2014). "RAINN's recommendations ignore needs of campus survivors of all identities". Feministing. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  17. ^ Amanda Marcotte (March 18, 2014). "RAINN Denounces, Doesn't Understand the Concept of "Rape Culture"". Slate. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  18. ^ Jessica Valenti (March 28, 2014). "Why we need to keep talking about 'rape culture'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  19. ^ Maddie (March 26, 2014). "RAINN's Recommendations On Protecting College Students from Sexual Assault Fight Violence with Violence". Autostraddle. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  20. ^ Lee, David (March 4, 2014). "Using a comprehensive approach to preventing sexual violence". Prevent Connect. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  21. ^ "Advocates implore Congress to reauthorize funds for backlogged DNA rape kits before Sept. 30 expiration". Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  22. ^ "H.R.777 - Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019". Archived from the original on 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  23. ^ "What They Are Saying: Advocacy Groups & Survivors Voice Support for the EARN IT Act". Senator Richard Blumenthal. February 8, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  24. ^ "Representatives Ross, Joyce Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Shortage of SANE-certified Nurses, Improve Care for Survivors of Sexual Violence". Congresswoman Deborah Ross. February 15, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  25. ^ Davis, Bradford William (Feb 25, 2022). "Insiders say RAINN, the nation's foremost organization for victims of sexual assault, is in crisis over allegations of racism and sexism". Business Insider. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  26. ^ Mark, Michelle; Davis, Bradford William (April 8, 2022). "6 executives depart RAINN following employee allegations of racism and sexism at the organization". Insider. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  27. ^ "S.4834 - PROTECT Our Children Act of 2022". Congress.gov. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  28. ^ "Senate Passes Bill to Reauthorize Task Force Combating Child Exploitation". United States Senator for California Dianne Feinstein. November 17, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  29. ^ "Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo". HBO. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  30. ^ "National Sexual Assault Hotline". RAINN. 2009. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  31. ^ Kornblum, Janet (April 14, 2008). "More Abuse Victims Able to Get Help Online". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  32. ^ Foley, Mick (28 September 2010). "The Wrestler and the Cornflake Girl". Slate. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  33. ^ "Mick Foley Launches #10forRAINN Twitter Challenge, Matching Donations to $10,000; RAINN's Newest Board Member also Hotline Volunteer and Donor". Archived from the original on 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  34. ^ Watch Mick Foley's Appearance On CNN Headline News Discussing RAINN Archived April 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ Mick Foley's #10forRAINN Campaign | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network Archived April 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ "Advocates fear effect of Depp-Heard trial on accusers". Mercury News. June 3, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  37. ^ Paula Rogo (December 6, 2020). "'Surviving R. Kelly' Sequel Increases Calls To Sexual Assault Hotline By 40%". Essence. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  38. ^ "Who is RAINN and what is RAINN day?". National Runaway Safeline. 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2018-02-13.
  39. ^ "RAINN Day". RAINN. 2018. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  40. ^ "RAINN Statement on Kavanaugh Vote". RAINN. 2018. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  41. ^ McMorris-Santoro, Evan (2014). "Native American Activists Argue Feds Building Keystone Will Lead To Rape". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  42. ^ Drevna, Heather [@RAINN] (May 1, 2020). "RAINN Response to Biden Addressing Tara Reade's Allegations" (Tweet) – via Twitter. RAINN Response to Biden Addressing Tara Reade's Allegations: "We appreciate Vice President Biden finally addressing Tara Reade's allegations. These allegations deserve a rigorous investigation, and we urge Vice President Biden to release any and all records that may be relevant including those housed at the University of Delaware, in addition to any Senate records housed at the National Archives. We urge him, his campaign, and former staff to cooperate fully and provide complete transparency." — Heather Drevna, vice president of communications, RAINN.
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