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| RAINNews |
SAFER Act Would Create DNA Registry,
Aid Law Enforcement and Victims
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The Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry (SAFER) Act, introduced in Congress this month, “will lead to testing more DNA evidence and taking more rapists off our streets, says RAINN president Scott Berkowitz. He says RAINN considers it a vital next step in the nation’s efforts to analyze DNA evidence from all open rape cases.
The SAFER Act, introduced by Reps. Caroline Maloney (D-NY) and Ted Poe (R-TX), enhances the Debbie Smith Act to create a national registry of forensic evidence from sexual assault cases. The registry will be online and accessible to the public, shedding light on the untested DNA evidence in thousands of rape cases.
Law enforcement will log up-to-date information on each rape case into SAFER, noting whether the DNA evidence has been analyzed or is awaiting testing. To protect privacy, SAFER will not include a victim’s name or other identifying information. Victims will receive a confidential code that allows them to check on the testing status of evidence from their own case.
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PSA Campaign Leads to Big Increase
in Victims Helped by RAINN |
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 RAINN’s celebrity-driven campaign to make sure survivors of child sexual abuse get the help that they deserve is having a huge impact on the number of victims reaching out for help. Since the April launch of the spots featuring Kevin Bacon, Dylan McDermott, Christina Ricci and Gabrielle Union, the number of people receiving help from the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) has increased 37%, while Online Hotline sessions are up nearly 20%.
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| Call for Male Survivors |
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 A national TV talk show plans to tackle the issues surrounding sexual violence against men and boys, and has asked for RAINN’s help recruiting audience members. The show’s goal is to fill the audience with male survivors and their spouses or partners.
Still in the early planning stage, the show hopes to illustrate the pain that so many survivors experience, and discuss the complicated issues that male survivors face.
Fill out this brief form to be considered as an audience member (RAINN will share your application with the show’s producers, who are solely responsible for selecting the audience). |
'Go With Your Gut'
and Other Back to School Tips |
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 “If you don’t feel safe or comfortable in any situation, go with your gut,” advises Jessica Lefler, one of 10 members of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau featured in the organization’s Top 10 Tips for Back to School Safety.
Rapists tend to be serial criminals, carefully planning their attacks and targeting victim after victim. With college age women four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than any other age group, safety planning is a vital part of the every student’s curriculum.
While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent attacks from occurring, RAINN’s 10 guidelines are practical ways that students can reduce their risk of sexual assault on campus.
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| Become an Organizer for RAINN Day 2010 |
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 Did you know that college students are more likely to be sexually assaulted than any other age group? RAINN is dedicated to campus safety, and we would like your help spreading the word and keeping campuses safe from sexual predators.
Each September, more than 1,000 colleges across the U.S. participate in RAINN Day — RAINN’s annual campaign to teach college students about sexual assault prevention and recovery. Student organizers and thousands of volunteers help RAINN implement the program by screening movies, holding educational events, using social media and sponsoring other public awareness activities.
Sign up now to bring RAINN Day 2010 to your campus
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Warrensburg, MO, Crisis Center Website
Wins TAP Contest |
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 The Survival Adult Abuse Center, in Warrensburg, MO, won the July website contest sponsored by TAP, RAINN’s Technology Access Program. Through TAP, RAINN provides free websites, email, web content and technology help to more than 600 rape crisis centers.
The Missouri crisis center’s marketing of its website, managed by Dave Defrain, led to a large increase in visitors in July, helping it beat out about 100 other centers eligible for the contest. For its victory, the center will receive a Visa gift card and a graphic design consultation from RAINN’s staff.
Thanks to a grant from the Department of Justice, all sexual assault service providers and domestic violence programs in the U.S. are eligible for RAINN’s free technology services. For more information, visit TAP.
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| RAINN in the News |
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 ABC News is highlighting RAINN Day 2010, RAINN's annual campaign to educate college students about sexual assault prevention and recovery. The story also features RAINN’s partnership with Music Box Films, the U.S. distributors of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Thanks to the movie partnership, RAINN Day organizers receive free copies of the film to screen for students; ABC notes that the film "illustrates the real life effects of sexual violence on victims and survivors, emphasizing the importance of getting help."
Read full article
 Feminist.com published important back-to-school safety tips provided by RAINN and members of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau.
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| Funding Crisis in New York City |
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 The New York City Council has eliminated all funding for sexual violence programming and prevention in its 2011 budget. The loss of funding will profoundly affect youth, immigrant communities, the city’s only free male survivor program, as well as hundreds of thousands of other victims of sexual assault.
Take action to restore much needed services
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Spotlight on the Speakers Bureau:
Christy Freeland |
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 Christy Freeland doesn’t limit her support of RAINN to speaking about her experience as a survivor of sexual assault — she sings about it. The RAINN Speakers Bureau member is a contestant in The Opening Act, a competition sponsored by 104.7 The Fish, Atlanta’s family-friendly radio station. If the station selected Freeland’s video performance, it will donate $10,000 to her charity of choice: RAINN.
Learn more about how you can help people recover from sexual assault as a member of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau.
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| More News |
| Visit Sweden... for Free |
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 Don’t miss the opportunity of a lifetime… a chance to visit Stockholm, Sweden! RAINN has partnered with Music Box Films on the box-office sensations The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. In celebration of the films’ success, Music Box Films is sponsoring the 2010 Larsson’s Sweden Sweepstakes, which includes round-trip plane tickets for two and luxury accommodations for four nights.
It’s as easy as entering your name. Sign up to win now |
Volunteer Spotlight:
Tiffany Webb
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 "As a student, I was looking for something with flexible hours to fit around my courses each week. RAINN is the perfect fit: I am able to volunteer as often as my busy schedule allows. When volunteering for the Online Hotline, I feel empowered to effect change by helping survivors gain their confidence and voice to speak out. I feel like I am really making a difference when survivors come to the chat session feeling sad and unsure of what to do next, and leave with the resources to help themselves. It is such a rewarding experience to hear that I have truly helped them; my busy schedule is well worth it."
Learn more about volunteering |
| Tori Amos Appeals to Fans to Help RAINN |
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 Musician Tori Amos, a founding member of RAINN and the organization’s first spokesperson, is asking her fans for a special gift for her 47th birthday: a gift of $47 to RAINN. In a letter to fans, she notes that $47 will pay for four victims to receive the help that they deserve through the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
Grant Tori's birthday wish today and help more victims take the first step toward recovery. |
| Now Appearing on YouTube: the RAINN Channel |
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 YouTube allows RAINN supporters to learn more about our work and how we directly support those in need. You can view videos and public service announcements featuring celebrities such as Christina Ricci and Kevin Bacon, on RAINN’s YouTube Channel.
You can connect with RAINN by subscribing to RAINN01 or adding us as a friend. |
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