Policy Action Center

Maryland Working Group Recommends Training for Judges Handling Custody Cases Involving Child Sexual Abuse

For many parents, going to court to fight for custody of their children is unimaginably difficult, and for those who are seeking custody because of child abuse or domestic violence, it can also be the deciding factor for the health and safety of them and their child.“The way children disclose or react when around an abuser just looks different than what an adult might do,” said Cooper. “If judges and others aren’t trained in looking out for these signs, they could be condemning a child to full, unsupervised custody with a parent who is physically and sexually abusing them.”

How the RAINN Speakers Bureau Creates Political Change

The RAINN Speakers Bureau is a network of more than 4,000 survivors of sexual violence who volunteer to share their stories. Members across the United States share their experiences through the media, community events, artistic projects, and more. “Joining the Speakers Bureau made me feel like I was helping others as well as myself,” says Speakers Bureau member Rebecca Courtright. “By using my voice, I feel I have regained my true path to help others and create a better future for all victims of sexual violence.”

RAINN Congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

"We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration, as well as Republicans and Democrats in Congress, to finally clear the rape kit backlog and to protect children from exploitation and abuse. We hope that, with their support, we will see full funding for the Debbie Smith grant program, SAKI, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force program, and local service providers who aid victims of sexual violence.”

RAINN Files Amicus Brief to Uphold Cosby Conviction on Appeal

As the Pennsylvania Supreme Court weighs Bill Cosby’s appeal of his conviction, RAINN and its pro bono legal partners at Hogan Lovells US LLP, have filed an amicus brief arguing to uphold the verdict. “The similarities in Cosby’s crimes are no coincidence. Cosby has shown a clear and consistent pattern of predatory behavior,” said Berkowitz. “We support the court’s decision to allow testimony from other victims of Cosby to demonstrate his pattern of behavior.”

New RAINN-Supported Legislation Seeks to Help Rescue Children from Harm

A bipartisan group of members of Congress, led by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Ben Cline (R-VA), has introduced the Child RESCUE Act, which will help ensure that children experiencing abuse can be identified and removed from harm as soon as possible. To create a proactive strategy to identify dual offenders and remove kids from harm, the Child RESCUE Act would establish a commission that brings together subject matter experts from the FBI, Department of Justice, RAINN, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

How RAINN’s Policy Team Works to Help Survivors

Recently, as Congress has considered police reform legislation, RAINN has urged House and Senate leaders to include a number of additional changes to help survivors of sexual violence. RAINN’s suggestions address issues that disproportionately impact Black victims of sexual violence, especially Black girls, who are overrepresented in juvenile justice data.

RAINN Shares Recommendations for Additional Police Reforms with Congressional Leadership

Black girls are disproportionately represented in juvenile justice data. According to research, “Black girls are 14% of the youth population, but are 33% of girls who are detained and committed. Seventy-six percent of justice-involved girls have physical and sex abuse histories.”As Congress considers police reform legislation, RAINN has urged House and Senate leaders to include a number of additional reforms to address issues that disproportionately impact Black victims of sexual violence. 

RAINN Working to Protect Vulnerable Populations During COVID-19 Crisis

RAINN is working with state agencies to address emergency preparedness and response measures for survivors of sexual violence, particularly children, during the COVID-19 pandemic. “During natural disasters and in conflict zones, the prevalence of sexual violence increases,” said Camille Cooper, RAINN’s vice president of public policy. “There are so many things we need to consider in this crisis to ensure that we’re doing all we can to prevent sexual violence and appropriately respond when it does happen.”

RAINN Releases Resources for Preventing & Responding to Sexual Violence in Temporary Medical Facilities During COVID-19

RAINN today shared with government agencies at the federal, state and local levels a new checklist of considerations for preventing and responding to sexual violence as they build and manage temporary medical facilities related to COVID-19. RAINN has created a central hub of guidance documents from leading experts with COVID-19-specific protocols for investigators, prosecutors, courts, and public officials. The guidance covers issues such as investigating sexual assault; forensic interviews for abused children; and ensuring the continuity of services such as sexual assault forensic exams during coronavirus-related closures.

Highlighting Policy Priorities for the Biden Administration