The Debbie Smith Act is the most important piece of anti-rape legislation that Congress has ever passed, and its re authorization is a victory for thousands of sexual assault victims whose perpetrators have yet to be identified.
While heading back to school is an exciting time, there are nonetheless risks involved when entering into an unfamiliar environment filled with new people. College aged women are at the highest risk for being sexually assaulted. Being aware of this risk is often the first step in staying safe.
Massachusetts state representative James Fagan generated public outrage with his recent comments. Fagan vowed to mercilessly cross examine child rape victims if the state legislature were to pass rigid mandatory sentences for child rape.
June 26, 2008 – (Washington, DC) – Today Congress took an important step in ensuring the safety of Americans aboard cruise ships with the introduction of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2008 in the U.S. Senate by Senator John Kerry (D-MA), and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA).
June 19, 2008 - (Washington, DC) - Evelyn Fortier, RAINN's Vice President of Public Policy, testified today before a U.S. Senate panel at a hearing about crime on cruise ships. Fortier noted that sexual assault was the leading crime reported to and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the high seas over the last five years, and provided recommendations to Congress and the cruise industry...
June 12, 2008 – (Washington, DC) - The number of forcible rapes reported to police fell in 2007, according to preliminary statistics from the FBI. The report says that forcible rape reports fell 4.3% last year, substantially more than 1.4% decrease in violent crime overall and double the prior year’s decrease in rape reports.
April 10, 2008 – (Washington, DC) – RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, issued the following statement today regarding the hearing on the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs: “The Debbie Smith Act is the most important anti-rape legislation that Congress has ever passed, and it will soon expire if Congress does not act.
April 9, 2008 – (Washington, DC) – RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights hearing, chaired by Senator Bill Nelson, “Closing Legal Loopholes: Justice for Americans Sexually Assaulted in Iraq and Afghanistan”:
April 14, 2008 – (Washington, DC) – RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization today launched a new service to provided help to over 1.2 million people through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE). Help is now also available through the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline at www.rainn.org. Every 2 minutes another American is sexually assaulted.
March 13, 2008 – RAINN today released helpful safety tips for students traveling on spring break vacations. Being aware of possible risks is often the first step in staying safe, especially when in a new environment. "College women are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than any other age group,” said Scott Berkowitz, president & founder of RAINN. “That's why it's so important that students are aware
