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| KaDee Strickland: RAINN Needs Your Help |
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This year’s Hope Award recipient, actress KaDee Strickland, filmed a video for RAINN this month, explaining her support for the organization and encouraging other supporters to do even more to help.
Through her portrayal of a sexual assault survivor on ABC’s hit show Private Practice, Strickland has directed many survivors to the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE or online.rainn.org). As 2010 comes to an end, she asks supporters to "give what they can — a little goes a long way."
Watch Strickland's video on RAINN's YouTube Channel  |
| State Legislators Focus on Rape Kit Backlog |
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 RAINN president and founder Scott Berkowitz moderated a panel at the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) States & Nation Policy Summit in Washington, DC this month. Illinois Rep. Renee Kosel talked about her groundbreaking bill, signed into law this year, which makes Illinois the first state to mandate prompt testing of all DNA evidence from rape cases. Berkowitz also discussed the importance of the SAFER Act, which Congress is expected to consider next year.
Find out more about RAINN's efforts to eliminate the rape kit backlog |
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| RAINN in the News |
| Lawmakers Making a Difference |
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 "I commend RAINN for being a national leader in the prevention of sexual abuse and for the extraordinary support and services they provide victims of sexual abuse. The services RAINN provides victims helps them overcome the trauma of this heinous crime. I look forward to working with RAINN to do all we can to educate the public about sexual abuse and help sexual abuse victims."
~ Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Co-Sponsor of the SAFER Act
 "I am proud to work with RAINN to help victims of sexual violence, which is an issue I care deeply about. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I am happy to have RAINN as an ally, as we work diligently to bring up and hopefully pass this important legislation next Congress that will benefit victims and help them on their way to self-recovery.”
~ Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Co-Sponsor of the SAFER Act
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| Elizabeth Arden Opens Red Door for RAINN |
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 Elizabeth Arden opened its iconic red door this month to host a special event for RAINN. The Red Door Spa in Tyson’s Corner, VA, offered its guests a night of beauty and relaxation to benefit survivors. Red Door customers and RAINN supporters enjoyed mini spa treatments such as massages, manicures and makeup applications at the pre-holiday party.
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| Thank You for Helping 122,000 People This Year! |
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"Most of us tend to be reflective this time of year, thinking back on what we’ve accomplished since the year began. As you reflect back on all you’ve done, I have one thing to add to your list: You’ve helped more than 122,000 survivors of sexual assault this year.”
As a direct result of your support, RAINN stayed open 24/7, every day of the year, helping everyone who reached out to us through the National Sexual Assault Hotline and Online Hotline.
Helping 122,000 people is a huge accomplishment, but not your only one. You also made possible RAINN Day, our college program that educated students on more than 1,000 campuses. We developed a program that now provides free websites, email, web content and tech support for more than 700 local crisis centers. And you helped give us an active presence on Capitol Hill, where we worked closely with the bipartisan leadership to pass new initiatives that will prevent rape and punish its perpetrators.
So, I want to wish you a happy holidays and -- most importantly -- say thank you
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| More News |
| Spotlight on the Speakers Bureau: Keith Smith |
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 At the age of fourteen, Keith Smith was abducted, beaten and sexually assaulted. By writing a book and being a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau, Keith is recovering from the brutal attack.
RAINN recently connected Smith with the Oprah Winfrey Show, where he was an audience member for Oprah’s show about male survivors of sexual abuse. “The invitation from one of Oprah's producers was quite a surprise," he said. “As I was walking through the airport in Chicago, I realized that I was about to go on national TV with 199 other guys to tell the world that they are not alone and they're not responsible for the abuse they suffered.”
Smith is also putting his energy into eliminating New Jersey's statute of limitation for civil cases. "The life altering physical, emotional, behavioral and social side effects of sexual abuse, suffered by children into adulthood, last a lifetime," Smith noted in his testimony to the NJ state senate.
Learn more about becoming a member of RAINN's Speakers Bureau |
| Volunteer Spotlight: Caitlin Breen |
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 “To me, volunteering for the Online Hotline is about connecting with people on a very human level. Often when I interact with visitors, I feel humbled and inspired by their courage and resilience. I love volunteering for an organization that is so compassionate, not only in terms of the resources for visitors, but also because I feel truly valued and supported as a volunteer. My overall experience has been challenging and rewarding, and I look forward to continuing my work with RAINN for a long time to come.”
Learn more about volunteering for RAINN |
| Redeem Your Holiday Gift Cards! |
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 Start your shopping today through RAINN’s shopping mall to redeem your holiday gift cards!
It’s simple: click on any participating store and shop like you normally would, and the retailer will donate a portion of your purchase to RAINN. Amazon, Target and Macy’s are among the 300+ retailers that will donate a portion to RAINN.
Here’s your chance to support RAINN without it costing you an extra cent!
Shop Now.
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