RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline and award-winning Online Hotline (1.800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) reached a bittersweet milestone this month, as they number of people who have received support and information passed 1.5 million. The hotlines provide sexual assault survivors and their families with free, confidential advice and support 24 hours a day. RAINN operates the telephone hotline in partnership with 1,100 local rape treatment centers across the country.

Regan Burke, the chair of RAINN’s board of directors, notes that, “We are proud that the hotline has been there to help more than 1.5 million people, and grateful to the tens of thousands of volunteers and local crisis centers that are our partners in this work. We are also indebted to the thousands of supporters whose donations keep the hotline running. Even so, we’re saddened that the demand remain so large — and keeps growing.”

RAINN launched the National Sexual Assault Hotline in 1994 and the Online Hotline in 2006. This year, the hotlines are experiencing a huge increase in demand, with usage up more than 15% over last year. So far this year, the hotlines have helped more than 82,000 people.

Donate to RAINN today to ensure that those in need continue to receive the support they deserve.

ABC News
“I think the victims in those cases have even more of an uphill battle," said Jennifer Marsh, director of RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline, about a case in which a high school girl was kicked off the cheerleading squad for refusing to cheer for the boy she said sexually assaulted her
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Oxygen
Oxygen, NBC Universal’s cable network geared towards women, has renewed its commitment to help RAINN in the fight against sexual violence. Oxygen has donated ad time to air RAINN's newest PSA, "The Secret.” Staff and volunteers from RAINN and 1,100 rape crisis centers have been trained and are ready to help the thousands of viewers expected to call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) as a result of Oxygen’s donation.

MTVNews
"I am proud to say that I help out with their hotline. I try to actively help people on a one-on-one basis," Mick Foley told MTV News. The professional wrestler, bestselling author and RAINN volunteer discusses his support of RAINN in his new book, Countdown to Lockdown.
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NBC4
"This is a serious problem that many people are living with," RAINN spokeswoman Katherine Hull told NBC4's Jim Handly. Hull appeared on the DC station’s Viewpoint to discuss teen dating violence, interpersonal violence and healthy relationships.

The Hatchet
"Even after all the progress we've made — and we have made significant strides in getting more victims to report and improving policing and prosecution — even after years of effort, 15 out of 16 rapists face no consequences for their actions.” RAINN’s president and founder Scott Berkowitz, in George Washington University’s newspaper, The Hatchet, in an article about sexual assault on campus.
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"I share RAINN's commitment to helping survivors of sexual violence. It is vital that we work together on all fronts to ensure that victims of these violent crimes receive the support that they deserve and that perpetrators are put behind bars. Improving public policy, increasing awareness of the long-term effects of sexual assault, and supporting RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotlines are important ways that we can both support survivors and reduce the number of sexual assaults across the country."

“Every two minutes someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.” “RAINN provides victims of sex abuse with the help they need to recover. Their services are free, safe and confidential. We must do everything in our power to end sex abuse, and that is why I am committed to working with RAINN to expand victim’s rights and make our communities safer through their awareness, support and prevention programs.”

~ Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)

When a friend or family member is sexually assaulted, the crime affects the victim’s friends and family as well. Nobody knows this better than RAINN Speakers Bureau member Frank DiCocco.

One of DiCocco’s closest friends was drugged and raped by an acquaintance. In addition to being deeply concerned about his friend, the event motivated him to take action. “It is important that we as men dedicate ourselves to both helping victims and to reducing the frequency of this crime,” he says.

DiCocco has made a positive difference in his friend’s recovery by learning about the prevalence of sexual assault and its long term mental health effects. This has given him a solid understanding of the issue and helped him provide support and encouragement to his friend and to other survivors of sexual violence. “I have done everything I am capable of to offer the presence of a trustworthy male figure in her life,” said DiCocco

Get more information on how to help a loved one who has been the victim of sexual violence

The star of ABC’s Private Practice, Kadee Strickland, will join other RAINN supporters at a Washington, DC party on Thursday, November 18. Congressional leaders including Rep. John Boehner and Sen. Patrick Leahy are among the honorary co-chairs of the event. Event sponsors include singer Tori Amos, Elizabeth Arden Red Door, and wrestling legend (and RAINN volunteer) Mick Foley and his wife, Colette.

Tickets for this evening of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres start at just $150.

Been Verified, America’s leading background check company, just released a new mobile app that displays the exact location of registered sex offenders in real-time, along with detailed information on the sex offender residing at the location. In addition, five percent of all proceeds from the Sex Offender Tracker app will be donated to RAINN!

Rape survivor and YouTube sensation Antoine Dodson is helping Been Verified raise awareness about the app and the risks posed by serial sexual offenders. "We need both effective tools and a broader awareness of the crime of sexual violence,” said Scott Berkowitz, president and founder of RAINN. "With the introduction of Been Verified’s new ‘Sex Offender Tracker,’ we have a groundbreaking technology that will help us to prevent serial criminals from committing more sexual assaults. And we are thrilled to be working with Antoine Dodson, who is such a passionate advocate for survivors."

While Halloween is an exciting time of year, new environments and new experiences present additional risks and potentially dangerous situations. Being aware of possible risks is often the first step in staying safe, whether you are a student on campus, or a parent of young children.

Check out RAINN's 2010 Halloween Safety Tips

On Monday, November 8, the Red Door Spa in Tyson’s Corner, VA, will host an evening of spa indulgences to benefit RAINN. Treat yourself to an evening of relaxation and luxury. Tickets are just $50, and include mini spa services. The Tysons event is Elizabeth Arden’s first in support of RAINN.

Make it a girl’s night and invite your friends! To reserve your place, call 703-448-8388.

“I have been a volunteer with the Online Hotline since April 2009. When I moved to Washington, DC, I spent the first couple of years volunteering at different places working with victims of crimes, but I was never able to connect the way that I wanted to – I always wanted to help more, do more, even if it wasn’t my 9-5 job. With the Online Hotline, the sense of purpose and fulfillment I get from a two-hour session is often more than I get from one whole week of work. I value the ability to help people find a voice and realize they are not alone. I am honored to call myself a RAINN volunteer.”

Learn more about volunteering for RAINN

Join more than 20,000 supporters by becoming a friend of RAINN on Facebook. There’s no better way to stay up-to-date on everything from current issues to volunteering to getting help. Join RAINN’s online community today.