October 2011

Johnny Depp Apologizes for his Inappropriate use of the Word Rape

Johnny Depp Vanity Fair
Johnny Depp's Vanity Fair
November 2011 Cover

Actor Johnny Depp created a media firestorm this month when he compared enduring a photo shoot to being raped, in an interview in Vanity Fair. But within hours of being called out for his comments by RAINN, he acknowledged his misstep and emailed RAINN a heartfelt apology.

“Well, you just feel like you’re being raped somehow. Raped. The whole thing. It feels like a kind of weird — just weird,” Depp told Vanity Fair. RAINN spokesperson Katherine Hull quickly responded to Depp’s unfortunate comparison, noting, “While photos may feel at times intrusive, being photographed in no way compares to rape — a violent crime which affects another American every two minutes.”

Soon thereafter, Depp emailed an apology to RAINN, saying, “I understand there is no comparison and I am very regretful. In an effort to correct my lack of judgment, please accept my heartfelt apology.” Hull quickly accepted, noting that “RAINN appreciates and accepts Johnny Depp's heartfelt apology. We hope to work with him to provide hope to victims of rape and make sure they get the help they deserve.”

Read the entire article here.



Does Your Representative Support the SAFER Act?
capital

There is a huge backlog of DNA evidence from unsolved rape cases that has never been sent to a crime lab for analysis. The SAFER Act (H.R. 1523) will bring transparency to the DNA evidence testing process, help efficiently target resources to cities that have the biggest backlogs, and empower victims with up-to-the-minute information about the status of their cases. This bill will help eliminate the DNA evidence backlog and take thousands of rapists off the streets.

Please call your U.S. representative to ask him or her to become a cosponsor of H.R. 1523, the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry Act of 2011 (SAFER Act), sponsored by Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). Nothing has a bigger impact in Congress than a clear message from constituents, so please let your member of Congress know how important the SAFER Act is to you.

Contact your U.S. representative today.



Sarah Silverman, Jennifer Love Hewitt and More
Get in Character for RAINN
The Mona lisa Project

A new charity book for RAINN features portraits of celebrities Sarah Silverman as Snow White, Jennifer Love Hewitt as Wonder Woman, Camryn Manheim as the Mona Lisa, and many more.

Los Angeles photographer and women’s advocate Val Patterson, who previously created The Pink Project to benefit RAINN, collaborated with writer Sophie Kipner and artist Giorgia Horrell to create the pop culture storybook. Proceeds from book sales will benefit RAINN, The Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance and Topanga Women's Circle.

Pre-order The Mona Lisa Project now.



Peace Over Violence Honors RAINN’s Innovation
Peace Over Violence

This month at its 40th anniversary celebration gala, Peace Over Violence, the primary provider of services to sexual and domestic violence victims in Los Angeles, will honor RAINN with its Innovation Award. This award recognizes the contributions RAINN has made to lives of survivors nationwide through groundbreaking hotline services, programs educating the public about sexual violence, and public policy initiatives such as ending the backlog of untested rape kits. Peace Over Violence has been RAINN’s partner and a member of the National Sexual Assault Hotline network since RAINN launched in 1994.

RAINN founder Scott Berkowitz will accept the award on behalf of RAINN. Also being recognized are LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, playwright Eve Ensler, Blue Shield of California, and the California Habeas Project.

Learn more about the Peace Over Violence Humanitarian Awards.



Refugee and Immigrant Children Have New Support Thanks to RAINN
US national center for refugee and immigrant children

This month RAINN helped the National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children develop standards for caring for children who have been sexually abused. RAINN’s hotline programs manager Bethany Wichman-Buescher, addressed caseworkers from all over the United States who work with children who have been released from federal facilities after being detained when crossing into the US without parents. Wichman-Buescher also advised individual case managers on how to initiate difficult conversations with children and their parents when they suspect the child has experienced sexual abuse.


 
 

 RAINN in the News

E! Online “He's not the first and he probably won't be the last celebrity to off-handedly equate mildly unpleasant experiences to that of being raped, but this morning, Johnny Depp wasted no time in offering up an apology for some less than sensitive remarks he made to Vanity Fair in which he likened the plight of being a much-photographed celebrity to that of a victim of a horrific violation. So how did Johnny's otherwise sensitive soul spring into action? By offering up a sincere letter of apology to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.”

E! Online reports on Johnny Depp’s remark, and subsequent apology to RAINN.


Fox News Online “Johnny Depp has never enjoyed photo shoots. But comparing them to violent sexual assault was perceived by some as a bit insensitive… According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, Depp ought to know there is a marked distinction between posing for a photographer and being raped... Depp's remarks were similar to those made by Twilight actress Kristen Stewart last year when she compared being photographed by paparazzi to being raped. She also apologized.”

FoxNews.com's Hollie McKay on RAINN’s ongoing dialogue with celebrities about the seriousness and significance of rape.


Reuters Logo “The Pirates of the Caribbean star apologized Wednesday for his questionable decision to compare photo shoots to rape in an interview with Vanity Fair… Katherine Hull, a spokesperson for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), told Fox: ‘While photos may feel at times intrusive, being photographed in no way compares to rape — a violent crime which affects another American every two minutes.’”

— RAINN emphasizes some of the staggering statistics about rape in its response to Johnny Depp’s comments, as highlighted in Reuters.


USA Today Logo “Katherine Hull, spokesperson for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), is happy to hear the news. ‘RAINN appreciates and accepts Johnny Depp's heartfelt apology,’ she says. ‘We hope to work with him to provide hope to victims of rape and make sure they get the help they deserve.’”

USA Today, on RAINN’s acceptance of Johnny Depp’s apology and its ongoing work to help survivors recover.

 
More News
Your $10 Could Raise 25K for Survivors of Sexual Violence

Give to the max day

Support RAINN on November 9 during Give to the Max Day, a joint campaign by hundreds of DC-area nonprofits to raise more than $3 million in just 24 hours.

Your $10 donation to RAINN will provide help to one survivor through the National Sexual Assault Hotline. If RAINN raises the most amount of money or garners the most donors throughout the day, RAINN’s programs will win an additional $25,000.

You can donate through the Give to the Max site on November 9 (or donate any time on RAINN’s site).



Spotlight on the Speakers Bureau: Destiny Rael
Destiny Rael
Destiny
Rael

“I feel honored to be a part of the RAINN Speakers Bureau because not only does it allow me to heal each and every time in a new way by sharing my own story, but it is also validating to know I am helping raise awareness, educate and encourage others to lift their voice. I hope I empower others to Say Something, Tell Someone or Do Something! It's life changing! .”

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



Volunteer Spotlight: Lauren Jones, Online Hotline Volunteer
Lauren
Lauren
Jones

“To realize the true appreciation that users of the Online Hotline have is an incredible feeling. I didn't anticipate the brief, yet deep relationships that form between volunteers and users/victims. After my first and highly intense session, the difference the Online Hotline was making in someone's life hit me.”

Learn more about volunteering for RAINN



Lawmakers Making a Difference
Waxman
Rep. Henry
Waxman
(D-CA)

“Victims of rape and sexual assault are at much greater risk of depression, substance abuse, and suicide. It’s essential that that survivors of sexual violence have access to counseling and support services to help them cope with such a traumatic event, and I applaud RAINN’s efforts to ensure victims in need have a place they can turn to for support and treatment.”
Rep. Henry Waxman
(D-CA)


Rooney
Rep.
Tom Rooney
(R-FL)

“As a former prosecutor, I’m proud to work with RAINN to ensure law enforcement officials have the tools they need to fight sexual assault and pursue justice for victims. Passing the SAFER Act is critical to processing DNA evidence accurately and efficiently and putting criminals behind bars.”
Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL)



Did You Know?

Most female victims are raped by someone they know.

Statistics Chart
Stastistics List

Source: Dept. of Justice, National Crime Victimization Survey 2010

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