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| RAINNews |
| 2010: A Year of New Records |
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In 2010, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline and the Online Hotline helped a total of 122,648 survivors of sexual assault, an increase of 14% from 2009. The Online Hotline, established in 2007, set a new record by helping 23,290 people, up 16$ from 2009. The National Sexual Assault Hotline helped 99,358 people, up 14%
"I am grateful for RAINN's Online Hotline that helped me get out of my dark place and was there when I needed somebody to confide in. The Online Hotline was a lifeline for me and anyone else who is on the cusp of getting help like I was. Thank you for freeing me and allowing me to let my story out" states a survivor after using RAINN's Online Hotline.
As the largest anti-sexual violence organization in America, RAINN's mission is to help as many victims of sexual violence - and their families - begin the process of healing from this crime. If you or someone you know needs support, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE or visit the Online Hotline.
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| RAINN appoints Berit Francis to the Board of Directors |
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RAINN recently appointed Berit Francis, a respected Minneapolis philanthropic leader, to its board of directors. Berit is a member of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau and has spoken publicly about the importance of on providing help and obtaining justice for survivors of sexual violence. As one of RAINN’s board members, she is looking forward to being active on a national level by helping RAINN provide more victims of sexual violence the help they need and deserve.
At the age of 29, Berit was violently raped and tortured. She reported her attack to the police and and had forensic DNA evidence collected through an assault forensic exam (“rape kit”).
RAINN’s founder and president, Scott Berkowitz, said “Berit is a great ally and advocate, and in this new role, she will enable RAINN to help even more survivors recover from the effects of sexual violence.”
Read more about Berit Francis, RAINNs newest Board Member |
| Show RAINN Some Love! |
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 This Valentine’s Day, love can be about more than cherubs and chocolates. Donate to RAINN with a personalized e-card, and celebrate the day by supporting your loved ones and the cause that is close to their hearts. Simply click here to choose a special edition e-card. After deciding how much you’d like to donate, customize your Valentine with a personal message. This is a chance to give a unique gift not just to your loved ones, but to survivors of sexual violence across America.
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| RAINN in the News |
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 ABC News
On January 2, a 27-year-old Princeton graduate student killed himself after disclosing his childhood sexual abuse in a 4,000 word suicide note.
"We hear every day on our sexual assault hotline that this is the first time they have talked about this," said Jennifer Wilson Marsh, Director of RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotlines. "When someone is able to speak or type aloud or share the emotional narrative relating to the trauma, there is some distance and it takes it out of the darkness and into the light."
Read more from ABC News
 Seventeen
Seventeen magazine's December/January issue included an article entitled "Party Predators". Seventeen provided its readers valuable information on what to do "if it happens to you" and gave RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline and the Online Hotline information. Seventeen reminds readers "even if the assault happened years ago, the National Sexual Assault Hotline can still help."
 Detroit Free Press
In the wake of at least seven rapes this month, Detroit Free Press quoted RAINN spokesperson Katherine Hull on how women can reduce the risk they might be attacked and what to do if they are attacked.
Hull said it is important to let them know it is not their fault and to trust their instincts when in the situation.
Hull said that if a woman is raped, she should remember the power of DNA evidence. Victims should wait before showering, brushing their teeth or changing their clothing because evidence can be found everywhere, even under fingernails.
"Your body," Hull said, "is really the crime scene in that instance."
Read more from Detroit Free Press
The Weekly Reader
The Weekly Reader’s January issue on Human Sexuality quotes RAINN’s Jennifer Wilson Marsh on important issues surrounding rape, including what to do if it happens to you and how to help a loved one. The article, “The R Word,” also quotes members of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau on their experiences with rape.
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| Lawmakers Making a Difference |
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 Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) is the newly elected Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Upon receiving RAINN’s Congressional Crime Fighter Award, Sensenbrenner said, “While Congress can make tough laws to help catch and incarcerate sexual offenders, groups like RAINN can provide support and assistance to the victims and their families in order to help them get their lives back together as best they can.”
 “RAINN is a critical lifeline for victims and survivors of sexual violence. I am grateful for the national leadership and services RAINN provides to those in need. I share RAINN’s passion and will work in the Senate to promote its efforts to reduce sexual violence through prevention, education, victim services and enforcing strict sentencing laws. I am confident that together we can identify the methods and resources needed to decrease actsof sexual violence in the United States.”
~ Senator Hagan (D-NC)
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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 |
| Thank You and Happy New Year! |
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 RAINN would like to extend our deepest thanks for your tremendous support in 2010. Your generosity and commitment in the last year allowed RAINN to help a record number of survivors and families through our Online Hotline. If you made a donation in December, you know that your gift was matched by a fellow supporter, doubling the number of people you helped. Your support is invaluable to us and to all of the survivors whom you helped to take critical steps toward recovery. We look forward to continuing to make important strides together in 2011!
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| Spotlight on the Speakers Bureau: Liz Seccuro |
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 RAINN Speakers Bureau member Liz Seccuro is a victims’ rights activist who devotes much of her time to advocating on behalf of rape survivors. In 1984, Seccuro was raped at the University of Virginia, and she was unable to get help or justice. Now, in her recently published memoir, Crash Into Me: A Survivor’s Search for Justice, she courageously tells how she brought her rapist to justice - even twenty-one years after being raped.
In telling her story, Seccuro hopes to inspire other survivors to find peace and hope. “I’m hoping this opens a dialogue,” she said. “I wanted to write this so anyone else on this journey can understand that they can have a blessed life … and what to prepare themselves for.”
Learn more about becoming a member of RAINN's Speakers Bureau |
| Volunteer Spotlight: Thomas Danner |
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 “When I found out about RAINN, the Online Hotline seemed like a great idea to me, especially because it allows people who may be hesitant to speak to someone they know, to connect to someone who cares, and who can help them by giving them the information they need, or just listening to what they have to say.”
Learn more about volunteering for RAINN |
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Students and community volunteers in 5 cities nationwide are gearing up to help RAINN through their participation in V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. Through V-Day campaigns, which occur between February and April, community volunteers and college students produce benefit performances to raise funds to help survivors and combat violence. If you are a college student who enjoys performing and is passionate about ending sexual violence, you might consider auditioning for a part in your school or community V-Day production. Be part of a powerful movement to stop violence against women and girls, and advocate for your cast to designate RAINN as the beneficiary of your production!
