Speakers Bureau
Are you a victim of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault? Do you have a friend or family member who is a victim?
Are you willing to help educate the public about sexual assault by sharing your story? We are looking for victims and friends or family members of victims who are willing to share their experience by:
- Speaking to school and community groups
- Participating in magazine interviews (anonymously if desired)
- Writing a column for a newsletter
- Sharing your story on RAINN’s website
Educate and Inspire Others
The RAINN Speakers Bureau educates and informs the public about sexual violence. Members will have the opportunity to share their personal stories with students, communities, victim service groups and/or the media. We know that it’s difficult to share something so personal, but we believe that your survival story can inspire others who may be victims of sexual assault to come forward for the first time and receive the help they need. In the process, we hope the experience will benefit you, as well, by sharing the struggle you went through to overcome what happened.
We are especially interested in hearing from individuals who received help from the National Sexual Assault Hotline, but everyone is encouraged to apply. We're also looking for individuals who successfully prosecuted their attackers. As sexual assault is usually not reported to the police, sometimes we receive requests for speakers who can talk about the intense investigative and legal process. If you do not fit these descriptions, please don't get discouraged — we want to hear from everyone.
Media Interviews
When a reporter contacts RAINN and requests to interview a victim, we will contact you. We will not release your name or any personally-identifying information without your specific agreement. If you are interested, we will put you in touch with the reporter. If you like, your first conversation can be off the record (which means they won’t quote anything you say), to give you a chance to ask questions and make sure you’re comfortable going forward.
If you do go forward with an interview, we would prefer that you allow the reporter to quote you by name — after all, you've got nothing to be ashamed of, and we want the public to understand that. But if you are not comfortable with the reporter using your real name, we will arrange for you to be quoted anonymously or to use a pseudonym. If you choose to speak at a school or community event, in most cases you must allow the sponsor to use your actual name.
The more information you can give us in your application about your experience, the better we can match you to an interview or speaking event. Please take a moment to download and fill out the appropriate document below. Then just mail it back to us along with a photo (TV and programs and magazines often ask to see a picture before scheduling an interview). The address is on the form.
If you have been interviewed before and can provide us with the articles and/or tapes, that is helpful. But if you have never spoken out before, that's okay - we still want you to apply.
** Healing from a sexual assault takes time. And the length of time is different for every survivor. We just ask that all applicants wait at least one year since their assault occurred before they apply to the RAINN Speakers Bureau. **
Download a questionnaire/application
For victims of sexual assault (PDF)
For victims' friends/family (PDF)
Note: Speakers Bureau applications typically take 4-6 weeks to process. You will be notified once your application has been reviewed.
Interested in having a Speakers Bureau member attend your event?
Submit your request for your event.
Questions? Email us at SpeakersBureau@rainn.org
Working together, we can help the public understand the full dimension of the sexual assault problem, and demonstrate that recovery is possible.
Would you like to interview a survivor of sexual assault?
Please email RAINN’s media relations department.
