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RAINNews |
RAINN + Dragon Tattoo =
A Trip to Sweden for You!
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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. These films, adopted from Steig Larsson’s best-selling Millennium Trilogy novels, feature the reoccurring theme of violence against women. Occurrences of sexual violence play a prominent role in the three novels, appearing in the forms of rape, sexual abuse, and trafficking. RAINN is working with Music Box Films to raise awareness of sexual violence, and ensure that victims like the trilogy's main character — Lisbeth — get the help they deserve.
Music Box Films is sponsoring the 2010 Larsson’s Sweden Sweepstakes, which includes round-trip plane tickets for two and passes to explore Larsson’s Stockholm. Enter now to visit this European city, setting of the Millennium Trilogy, and enjoy luxury accommodations for three nights in the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel plus one night at the Seglarhotellet in Sandhamn in the Stockholm archipelago!
Enter to win ![read more](http://www.rainn.org/images/news-room/News/readmore.jpg) |
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Safer Seas: New Law Protects Cruise Ship Passengers and Crew |
Cruise passengers are one step closer to enjoying a safe vacation, thanks to the enactment of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act. The bill, which RAINN worked on for several years, was signed this week by President Barack Obama. Its chief Congressional sponsors were Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA). It requires safety measures for Americans at sea and provides protection for those sexually assaulted on board. It also mandates that cruise lines provide victims with “free and immediate access” to RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline and Online Hotline.
Read USA Today’s interview with RAINN president Scott Berkowitz on the impact of this new law. To learn more about this new law ![read more](http://www.rainn.org/images/news-room/News/readmore.jpg)
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RAINN Turns 16 |
Sixteen years ago this week, RAINN’s founder, Scott Berkowitz, stood beside musician Tori Amos backstage at a Baltimore concert hall, in front of a large group of photographers, cameramen, and reporters. Amos, RAINN’s first spokesperson, dialed 1-800-656-HOPE, making the ceremonial first call. With that, the National Sexual Assault Hotline was launched.
Join RAINN's birthday celebration ![read more](http://www.rainn.org/images/news-room/News/readmore.jpg) |
At the Capitol: RAINN Speaks on the Prison Rape Elimination Act |
![JDI](http://www.rainn.org/images/news-room/News/PREA150w.jpg) Rachel Gandell with Melissa Rothstein RAINN’s public policy manager, Rachel Gandell, this month spoke before an audience of Capitol Hill staff about implementation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). PREA, passed by Congress in 2003, requires national standards for the “prevention, detection, response, and monitoring of sexual abuse behind bars.” The Justice Department has not yet issued final standards that prisons need to adopt.
A 2010 Department of Justice BJS report found that almost one in eight youths in juvenile detention reported being victimized in the prior year.
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More News |
Is Your Birthday Around the Corner? |
For your birthday this year, consider asking for donations to your favorite charity in lieu of gifts!
It’s easy – create a RAINNmaker page where your friends & family can make donations in your honor. After your birthday, RAINN will let you know how many victims were helped through your generosity.
Create your RAINNMaker page now ![read more](http://www.rainn.org/images/news-room/News/readmore.jpg) |
Speakers Bureau Spotlight:
Renee DeVesty
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Renee DeVesty, a new member of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau, says she joined the program to increase awareness about the psychological damage rape has on individuals. By sharing her story, DeVesty hopes to encourage victims of sexual assault to no longer live in fear and silence, but to heal and start over again
DeVesty has been active in communities as an advocate for ending violence against women. She is currently a high school youth leader. She has been featured on National Public Radio and been a guest speaker at events such as the Vagina Monologues and Junior Achievement’s Young Women’s Symposium. She is devoted to assisting victims of rape “reclaim their lives,” improve their self-esteem and self-image, and see themselves as survivors, not victims. |
Help for Rape Victims in Indian Country |
Across Indian Country, violent crimes happen at 2.5 times the national average, and some studies estimate that one out of every three Indian women will be raped in their lifetime.
The Tribal Law and Order Act, passed by the U.S. Congress, requires that tribal and federal officers serving Indian Country be trained in interviewing victims of sexual assault and collecting evidence at crime scenes, as lack of evidence is among the reasons that federal justice officials have cited in declining to prosecute cases. President Obama signed the bill into law today. |
Volunteer Spotlight:
Alicia Lamberti
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"Being an artist who prefers painting in the fresh air, when the weather is dreary, I take extra shifts on the hotline – for me, rain outside means RAINN inside! I enjoy helping visitors realize that despite the challenges they are enduring, they have the power to reclaim their lives. I hope that by recognizing how courageous they are, and by knowing that RAINN is there to support them, they will be inspired to take further steps toward healing. Along with volunteering, I attend and help organize community forums on sexual assault education and prevention, as well as donate a portion of the proceeds from my artwork sales to RAINN."
Learn more about volunteering ![read more](http://www.rainn.org/images/news-room/News/readmore.jpg) |
Join RAINN on MySpace |
Have you friended RAINN on MySpace? Through our profile, supporters have the opportunity to learn more about RAINN and its programs, make a donation, volunteer or view our latest PSAs with just one click
As the new school year fast approaches, RAINN’s MySpace page offers downloadable materials, such as banners and talking points, to use on campus and around the community to raise awareness about sexual assault
Connect with RAINN now by adding us as a friend ![read more](http://www.rainn.org/images/news-room/News/readmore.jpg) |
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