RAINN honors state and federal lawmakers whose efforts have helped reduce sexual violence or improved the lives of sexual assault victims. The Crime Fighter Award program recognizes congressional support of sexual assault issues, bipartisan efforts, and leadership in pursuing legislation.

In 2008, RAINN honored federal lawmakers who have been leaders in the national effort to end sexual violence, based on their sponsorship of legislation to bring the nation's sex offenders to justice, enhance services for victims, and reduce the incidence of rape.

“These federal legislators are RAINN's indispensable partners on Capitol Hill...Their leadership and hard work...have led to a significant reduction in sexual violence and the expansion of victims' services over the last decade.
— Scott Berkowitz”

RAINN president and founder Scott Berkowitz presented the 2008 awards in Washington, DC. "These federal legislators are RAINN's indispensable partners on Capitol Hill in working toward sexual assault prevention and prosecution," Berkowitz said. "Their leadership and hard work on crime victims' services, DNA issues, and countless other federal crime prevention measures have led to a significant reduction in sexual violence and the expansion of victims' services over the last decade."

For their extraordinary efforts leading to the enactment of laws that help victims of sexual assault and protect potential victims from predators, RAINN presented the 2008 Crime Fighter Award to:

U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)
U.S. Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA)
U.S. Rep. Ros Lehtinen (R-FL)
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA)
U.S. Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX)
U.S. Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT)
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-CT)
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz (D-FL)

U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE)
U.S. Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO)
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN)
U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)
U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL)

Past Winners