The RAINN Speakers Bureau is made up of nearly 4,000 survivors of sexual violence who volunteer to share their stories. These individuals live in every corner of the country and represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences—together they make up an invaluable resource of knowledge and strength.
We are always looking for people from different backgrounds who are willing to share their story. RAINN matches Speakers Bureau volunteers with opportunities to educate the public and spread messages of hope through media interviews, local speaking opportunities, school events, art projects, and other creative endeavors.
Please understand that the Speakers Bureau application contains detailed and personal questions about your experience with sexual violence, the criminal justice system, your journey of healing, and your backgound in speaking publicly about your story.
The questions on this application will help us learn about you so we can match you with the most appropriate requests from the media, community groups, schools, and other organizations, should you be accepted into the Bureau. The requests we receive are often very specific: for example, a community group or reporter may be interested in hearing from someone of a particular background (age, gender, geographic location) who has survived a particular type of sexual violence.
It may take time to fill out the application—that’s okay. Please go at your own pace, and remember, it’s okay to take breaks. Before beginning the application, make sure you have resources available–such as a friend to talk to, or the number to the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) on hand–in case you find yourself feeling overwhelmed at any point.
There are 7 parts of the written application in total:
- About You
- Sharing Your Story
- Information About Your Experience
- Disclosure and Reporting
- Healing and Recovery
- Additional Information
- Background Check
Once submitted, applications typically take 4-6 weeks to process. After your application is processed, you will be contacted about whether or not we can move forward to the second round of the application process (completing a video interview through HireVue).
To apply, please read through and accept our terms and conditions, and then fully complete the application form below.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please carefully review the terms and conditions outlined below before filling out and submitting your application to the RAINN Speakers Bureau program.
Acceptance Policy
Acceptance into the RAINN Speakers Bureau is contingent upon an applicant’s full completion of the application form, background check, subsequent interview, and the discretion of RAINN management and staff. Please note that RAINN cannot accept applications from minors and that no applicants under the age of 18 will be admitted into the Speakers Bureau program. Acceptance into the RAINN Speakers Bureau is not guaranteed, and RAINN reserves the right to accept or reject any applicant for any reasons deemed appropriate.
Removal Policy
RAINN reserves the right to remove any members who are accepted into the Speakers Bureau program for any of the following reasons:
- If a member advertises themselves as an employee, spokesperson, or official media representative of RAINN, as opposed to a volunteer member of the Speakers Bureau;
- If a member violates RAINN’s copyright policy listed in these terms and conditions;
- If a member engages in any type of speech or behavior that directly constitutes, reflects, or resembles, bullying, hate speech, harassment, violence, or otherwise inappropriate content; or
- If a member acts in any other way that is incompatible with the mission of RAINN.
Mandatory Reporting Disclosure
Please note: if an applicant submits any of the following information, RAINN may be required to fill out a mandatory report with the relevant local authority, depending on applicable law:
- The applicant is a minor;
- The applicant discloses being a minor at the time of abuse and the abuser is currently a person in a position of care over other children, such as parents of minors, a teacher, doctor, counselor, or religious authority;
- The applicant identifies having a disability during the time of abuse;
- The applicant reports that the abuse occurred when the applicant was 60 years or older; or
- The applicant reports that they are still in an abusive or dangerous situation.
If RAINN determines that a mandatory report is necessary, RAINN will first contact the applicant about doing so as soon as possible, and then file the mandatory report with the appropriate authority. Please keep this in mind before you complete the application. Applicants are not disqualified from joining the RAINN Speakers Bureau solely on the basis of a mandatory report needing to be made.
Privacy Policy
RAINN will never share an applicant’s information listed in this application or elsewhere with a third party without the applicant’s explicit written or verbal consent, unless we determine that a mandatory report must be filed with your local authorities based on the criteria set forth above.
Upon acceptance into the RAINN Speakers Bureau program, the information listed in the application will be viewed solely by RAINN staff for the purpose of matching members with appropriate speaking, media, or advocacy opportunities.
Copyright Policy
Members of the RAINN Speakers Bureau are welcome to share any content retrieved from RAINN’s website or otherwise provided by RAINN as long as the original source is clearly stated. All content provided by RAINN, unless explicitly stated otherwise, is subject to a copyright held by RAINN. Wholesale reproduction or partial modification of content is not permitted. Exceptions can only be granted through receiving written consent from RAINN.
Disclaimer
Members of the RAINN Speakers Bureau are not required to participate in any events, interviews, or other opportunities that they are connected to through RAINN, and members should participate in opportunities that are presented to them by RAINN at their own discretion. RAINN cannot be held responsible for any injury, damage, or other liability that may occur as a result of a member participating in an event they learned about from RAINN.
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms and Conditions, please contact speakersbureau@rainn.org with “Terms and Conditions” in the email subject line.