December 2012
 
From Celebrities to 13-Year-Olds, Hundreds Come Together to Support Survivors

adam richman and bands4rainn

Travel Channel's Adam Richman with 13-year-old Kelsey Hirsch, creator of Bands4RAINN

It was a celebratory night with a serious purpose, as the Travel Channel’s Adam Richman hosted a gathering for 150 RAINN supporters. Richman told the crowd that when the Jerry Sandusky scandal broke last year, he was inspired and motivated to do something to help. After getting advice from his Twitter followers, he researched organizations and concluded that RAINN’s record of helping victims, running prevention programs and influencing public policy was the most effective approach. That led to him making a generous donation to RAINN, and to his offer to do even more to help.

The event at DC’s LongView Gallery also featured remarks from Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), who were presented with this year’s Crime Fighter Awards by RAINN’s founder, Scott Berkowitz. The event was co-hosted by Cybele Daley, Katherine Miller, Liz Seccuro and Tracy Sefl, with special guest Mick Foley.

“I remember that I was filming in Milwaukee when the details of the Sandusky indictment came through, and like so many other people, it really hit home for me. So after my vitriolic feelings passed, I went looking for an organization that was doing great things with education and with helping victims, and I landed on RAINN because of their comprehensive approach,” said Richman.

Funds raised at the event will support RAINN’s hotlines, which have helped more than 1.8 million people since 1994.

Read more in the Washingtonian and see pictures of the event.

Sen. Cornyn, Sen. Bennet and Rep. Poe win Crime Fighter Award
Sen. Bennet (D-CO), RAINN president and founder Scott Berkowitz and Rep. Poe (R-TX).

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) have won RAINN’s 2012 Crime Fighter Award, in recognition of their leadership in the fight against sexual violence.

“The extraordinary leadership demonstrated by Sen. Cornyn, Sen. Bennet and Rep. Poe has helped reduce the number of rapes across the nation and ensured that victims get the help they deserve. They are essential partners to RAINN on Capitol Hill and reliable allies of survivors of this violent crime,” said Scott Berkowitz, president and founder of RAINN.  “In particular, their tireless work and bipartisan efforts on behalf of the SAFER Act will bring greater transparency and efficiency to the criminal justice system and help get many perpetrators of the streets.”

“I’m humbled to receive the RAINN Crime Fighter award, and I commend the staff and volunteers at RAINN for the tireless work they do year-round to seek justice for the victims of rape and abuse. I have been proud to work hand-in-hand with RAINN on issues like reducing the unacceptable rape kit backlog, and I look forward to continuing to work together on our shared goals for greater justice for victims nationwide,” Sen. Cornyn said.

Read more about the 2012 Crime Fighter Award recipients.

DoD SafeHelpline Expands Services,
Launches New App

Safe Helpline logoDoD Safe Helpline, which provides free, confidential help to military sexual assault survivors, has expanded its services to help those transitioning out of their military career. Transitioning service members (TSMs) can now find specialized help and information at SafeHelpline.org. Safe Helpline is operated by RAINN through a contract with the Department of Defense.

The website also features a tool that can guide TSMs to the benefits and services most appropriate for them. After answering five or six questions, they receive a customized list of resources based on their needs, including resources for mental health, housing and employment help. 

Safe Helpline also features a new self-care app, available for iPhone and Android. Version 2.0 of the app, which will be available in the App Store next week, helps users create a personalized self-care plan and includes more than a dozen exercises to help military survivors of sexual assault.

To get the word out about Safe Helpline, RAINN and DoD are working with some of the top military-related organizations, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Operation Homefront, Wounded Warrior Project, Blue Star Families and Military Officers Association of America. 

TV network ABC has also lent a hand, airing a public service ad for Safe Helpline following an episode of Private Practice earlier this year (the show's writers and producers also consulted with RAINN staff as they developed the episode).

Learn more about the Safe Helpline or find resources for transitioning service members.

Facebook Offers the Perfect Gift
facebook gifts This holiday season, giving the gift of HOPE is easier than ever! If you're a Facebook user, you now have the ability to make a $25 donation to RAINN as a gift to a friend or family member, directly from their timeline. 

It's easy: Just log into Facebook, select the friend you'd like to make your gift to, and click on the red gift box in their status bar.

facebook gifts

Your $25 gift will enable two survivors to take their first steps towards recovery through the National Sexual Assault Hotline. And if you make your tax-deductible gift before the year ends, fellow supporters will match your donation dollar-for-dollar.  

Your last minute holiday gifting starts here.


RAINN in the News
     

Houston Chronicle logo[The SAFER Act] puts money into actually putting rapists in jail.”  — RAINN’s Scott Berkowitz in the Houston Chronicle


Dear Abby logo

[P]lease contact RAINN, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. Its toll-free number is 800-656-4673. You can find assistance there, and nothing will shock them.”
Dear Abby


loop 21 logo“College campuses can foster a false sense of security. Rapists look to exploit vulnerabilities that can arise in these environments, as students let their guards down in social situations. The majority of these assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.”  — RAINN’s Katherine Hull in the Loop 21

More News
Your Gift to RAINN Will Be Matched

Through December 31, your tax-deductible gift to RAINN will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, by a group of fellow supporters. Now is your chance to double your impact in the fight against sexual violence.

matched donations

Hear from author Paul McComas, a member of RAINN's National Leadership Council, as he shares his story of hope.

You can bring hope to twice as many people this holiday season! Donate today.


Spotlight on the Speakers Bureau: Lydia Cuomo
lydia cuomo

Lydia
Cuomo

“Through the Speakers Bureau, I got in touch with Lydia Cuomo who came and spoke to approximately 150 medical students today. I don't have the words to describe how amazing she was. She was eloquent, strong, and somehow even managed to inject some humor into this very painful topic. Lydia not only educated the students, but she also started a conversation and got them thinking about these issues. I know everyone was so moved by her courage and I believe that she made a difference in the way the students will approach sexual assault cases in the future.”
—Amanda Wingle

“Speaking out to others, and sharing my story, has not only empowered me, given me clarity and control over my assault, but I KNOW that my story, my words, and my survival have benefited, inspired, and changed others. RAINN has given me the opportunity to take a negative and turn it into positive change. The healing and growth that came from this experience are indescribable. I so look forward to having the chance to share my story in the future.” — Lydia Cuomo

Learn more about becoming a member of RAINN's Speakers Bureau

Hotline Spotlight: Maureen Mulhern, Online Hotline Volunteer
Maureen Mulhern

Maureen
Mulhern

“I am very proud to be a RAINN volunteer.  I know it is really hard for sexual assault survivors to seek out help, so I think it is great that the Online Hotline provides someone for them to talk to who will not only try to provide resources but will also be caring and listen to what they have to say.”

Learn more about volunteering for RAINN


Did You Know?
did you know

RAINN has heped more than 1.8 million people since 1994 through the National Sexual Assault Hotline. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is comprised of the telephone hotline (800-656-HOPE) and the Online Hotline (online.rainn.org), providing 24/7, free, confidential support.


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