November 2010
 RAINNews
KaDee Strickland, Mick Foley & Shonda Rhimes Win 2010 Hope Awards

More than 150 supporters, volunteers and Congressional leaders joined actress KaDee Strickland and wrestling legend Mick Foley last night to celebrate RAINN’s work helping 1.5 million survivors of sexual violence through the National Sexual Assault Hotlines.

Strickland and Foley were presented with RAINN’s 2010 Hope Awards at the Washington, DC gala, in honor of their work to educate the public about sexual assault prevention and recovery and for their volunteer work with RAINN. Also winning a Hope Award was Shonda Rhimes, the creator of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Chairing the event were RAINN board members Cybele Daley, Katherine Miller and Tracy Sefl.

Present to lend their support to RAINN’s work were Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Congressional leaders in the fight against sexual violence. Reps. Poe and Maloney are the lead sponsors of the SAFER Act, which will help eliminate the backlog of untested DNA evidence from thousands of unsolved rape cases. Congress is expected to take up the SAFER Act next year.

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Rape Storyline Leads to 44% Increase in Private Practice Viewership

ABC’s hit series Private Practice, after working closely with RAINN, this month launched its multi-episode storyline involving sexual violence, leading to a huge 44% increase in viewership. On the show, Dr. Charlotte King, played by actress KaDee Strickland, was attacked and raped. Strickland and the show’s writers worked with RAINN to create an accurate portrayal of the crime, including the aftermath and long-term mental health effects of rape. After the airing, RAINN heard from many rape survivors that Strickland’s portrayal was the most true-to-life that they had ever seen.

Shonda Rhimes, the show’s creator and executive producer, came up with the storyline this summer and worked with Strickland and RAINN to make sure the show accurately conveyed the trauma, and aftermath, experienced by one out of every six women, and one out of every 33 men, in America. “A lot of violence against women on television is from the point of view of law enforcement,” Rhimes said, “as opposed to standing in the shoes of the actual victim and seeing how it is for them and the people around them."

Read more about this new partnership read more



Strickland Builds Congressional Support for SAFER Act

CapitolActress KaDee Strickland and RAINN president Scott Berkowitz this month met with members of Congress to urge support for the SAFER Act, which will help eliminate the backlog of untested DNA evidence from thousands of unsolved rape cases. The lead sponsors of the SAFER Act, Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Ted Poe (R-TX), are expected to introduce the bill in the new Congress in January.

At a meeting with Strickland and Berkowitz, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), vice-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, was quick to offer her support and become a co-sponsor of the bill. “RAINN’s commitment to prevent sexual abuse and help victims has made the group a strong voice in Washington,” said Rep. Moore. “We share many of the same goals. I am proud to stand with RAINN in the effort to stamp out this abhorrent violence.”

The RAINN reps also had productive meetings with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Reps. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), and Jack Kingston (R-GA). Later that day, Rep. Poe, co-chair of the Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus, fired up RAINN supporters gathered in Washington, as he talked about the importance of passing the SAFER Act and his close collaboration with RAINN.


 RAINN in the News

PoliticoPolitico
"The great thing about getting connected with RAINN is that I learned about hope and strength and learned about what it is to truly be a champion for yourself again, and that was one of the things I really wanted to portray." —Actress KaDee Strickland, winner of a 2010 Hope Award for her performance on Private Practice and her volunteer work for RAINN.

"Those first few sessions were more nerve-racking than anything I've done in the ring.” —Pro-wrestler and author Mick Foley, winner of a 2010 Hope Award for his work volunteering for the Online Hotline
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TPMTalking Points Memo
"You can't get justice without DNA, it's just the way the world works now. Everyone expects to see DNA." —Julie Weil, member of RAINN’s speakers bureau and advocate for the SAFER Act, which will help eliminate the backlog of untested DNA evidence from thousands of unsolved rape cases.
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ExaminerThe Examiner
“Millions of people have learned about the National Sexual Assault Hotlines thanks to their help.” —RAINN founder Scott Berkowitz, praising the work of Private Practice creator Shonda Rhimes and actress KaDee Strickland.
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NewsweekNewsweek.com
“It could lead to a person shutting down and becoming noncommunicative, it could result in a person becoming emotionally upset, it could trigger flashbacks…” — Jennifer Marsh, director of the National Sexual Assault Hotline, said of the new TSA screenings that concern many survivors of sexual assault.

Read the full article read more



NBC and SVU Take on Sexual Violence on Campus

StudentsNBC and its longtime hit show Law & Order: SVU partnered with New York University’s Department of Media, Culture and Communications and AOL TV to host a panel discussion prior to airing a new episode about rape on campus. Jennifer Wilson Marsh, RAINN’s hotline and affiliate services director, joined Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, actor Ice-T, and Katie Hnida from the Joyful Heart Foundation to discuss the issue at AOL's offices in New York City.



RAINN Volunteer Mick Foley on The Daily Show

MickThe Hope Award is not the only award Mick Foley won recently: At his DC rally with Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart presented Foley with his Award for Reasonableness for his work on behalf of RAINN. Foley and Stewart also talked about RAINN this month on the Daily Show.

“I cannot think of a better way to spend a few hours a week than helping someone who needs RAINN’s services,” Foley told Stewart. He also also urged others, including more men, to get involved: “There is a spot on our team for you,” he said.

Learn more about Foley's involvement with RAINN read more

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Target, Macy's and 300 Retailers Will Donate Portion of Your Purchase to RAINN

NPSMToday is Cyber Monday, and 300 top retailers — including Target, Macy’s, and Uncommon Goods — will donate part of your purchase to RAINN. It won't cost you a cent, and all you have to do is click on your favorite store at RAINN's Online Shopping Mall.

It's that simple — visit our mall, click on your favorite store and buy whatever you want. You'll still get all the sale prices, but part of your purchase will automatically be donated to RAINN. And if you need more holiday gifts later? Just save this link (shop.rainn.org) and come back any time to have your purchase benefit RAINN.

This holiday season and beyond, start your shopping at shop.rainn.org.



Volunteer Spotlight: Christina Rose Kyrtsos

Kyrtsos“I started volunteering as a way to give back to the community that helped me so much after my own assault. When I personally contacted the Online Hotline, they helped by connecting me to the resources that proved invaluable in my healing process. Being on the other side, as a volunteer, has been a great experience. Every session is different, but it’s great to know that I’m making a difference in someone’s life — helping them connect with resources that they need, or just being an ear to listen in a non-judgmental way. I plan to keep fighting to end sexual violence by volunteering for the Online Hotline and sponsoring initiatives in my community to raise awareness of its prevalence and effects on survivors.”

Learn more about volunteering for RAINN read more



Spotlight on the Speakers Bureau: John Mark Clubb

John Mark ClubbRAINN Speakers Bureau member John Mark Clubb is having a busy fall: he has been an audience member on The Oprah Show’s episode featuring male survivors of sexual abuse; was interviewed by his local paper; and is promoting his new memoir, Boys Cry Too. Clubb, now a commercial airline pilot after 22 years in the military (first as a Marine, then as a Navy pilot), says his message to other abuse victims is: “Sexual abuse does not have to be a life sentence."

Learn more about joining RAINN's Speakers Bureau read more



Make Your Tax-Deductible Gift by December 31

Year EndDid you know that RAINN spends 92¢ out of every dollar directly on services to help victims and prevent rape? It’s that efficiency, and documented effectiveness, that led Worth magazine to rate RAINN as one of “America’s 100 Best Charities.”

This year, with the number of people using the National Sexual Assault Hotline up by 16%, RAINN needs your help more than ever. Please consider helping with a tax-deductible, year-end donation. You can donate online 24/7, or mail your contribution to RAINN. Donations made online, or postmarked, by 11:59 pm on December 31 are deductible from your 2010 taxes to the extent allowed by law.

Remember, the greater your gift to RAINN, the larger your tax savings will be. What better time to invest in RAINN than now?


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