Policy & Justice

RAINN’s Recommendations for Legislators

Our issue briefs provide everything state policymakers need to know to create and pass meaningful and effective anti-sexual violence legislation.

RAINN’s bipartisan partnerships with U.S. lawmakers help create, advance, and pass legislation that strengthens protections for survivors and holds offenders accountable.

Create & Pass State Laws

Explore our legislative memos and get a comprehensive look at today’s most pressing sexual violence issues.

Image-Based Sexual Abuse Laws

Combat nonconsensual, explicit AI-generated and AI-manipulated “deepfakes.”

Read More
Hands typing on a cellphone.
A person writes in a notebook, reporting or documenting something

School Sexual Violence Policies

Ensure schools, students, and parents know how to respond when sexual violence occurs.

Read More

Civil Statutes of Limitations for Sex Crimes: Reform Enables Justice

Enable justice by reforming your state’s civil statutes of limitations on pursuing civil justice for sex crimes.

Read Now

Criminal Statutes of Limitations for Sex Crimes

Stand with survivors by ending your state’s arbitrary limits for reporting and prosecuting sexual violence.

Read Now

Rules of Evidence

Allow prosecutors to admit evidence of the defendant’s prior relevant sexual conduct.

Read Now

Immunity Laws for Survivors

Remove barriers to reporting with with immunity laws for drug and alcohol misdemeanors.

Read Now

Involuntary Pelvic Exams

Protect patients from pelvic exams performed without their explicit and informed consent.

Read Now
A doctor holds a stethoscope around his neck.

I Want to Learn More About…

RAINN’s Federal Policy Progress
RAINN’s State Policy Progress
The Laws In My State

2024 Federal Policy Impact

In 2024, RAINN’s direct engagement with Congressional champions, strategic outreach to key committees, and active participation in coalitions resulted in stronger protections for survivors and clearer pathways to justice.

20.8%

Over 20% of 2024’s RAINN-endorsed federal bills earned bipartisan Congressional support and became law.

300,000

In 2024, the RAINN-backed Debbie Smith Act reduced the rape kit backlog and surpassed 300k DNA database matches.

100%

RAINN secured overwhelming bipartisan support for every bill we endorsed in 2024.

2024 State Policy Impact

As a result of RAINN’s state-level advocacy in 2024, survivors have stronger legal protections, greater access to justice, and more effective tools to hold perpetrators accountable.

16

In 2024, 12 states signed 17 RAINN-backed bills into law, marking significant strides toward justice.

10,100

In 2024, RAINN reviewed 10,100 state bills, earmarking 1,314 as priority issues for ongoing tracking.

32  

In 2024, RAINN reached 32 states with advocacy, bill development, testimony, grassroots action, and more.

Policy Updates

Dress Codes Can Help — or Hurt. Here’s How Schools Can Get it Right.

School dress codes can impact youth safety and development. Learn how to create policies that promote individuality, autonomy, and a culture of respect.
August 11, 2025

Grok’s ‘Spicy’ AI Video Setting Will Lead to Sexual Abuse

RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, has a problem with Grok’s new generative AI video tool’s “spicy” mode, which allows any user to create nude images and commit tech-enabled sexual abuse. According to The Verge’s Jess Weatherbed: “While other video generators like Google’s Veo and OpenAI’s Sora have safeguards in place to prevent users from creating NSFW content and celebrity deepfakes, Grok Imagine is happy to do both simultaneously. In fact, it didn’t hesitate…
September 15, 2021

Going to the Dentist Can Trigger Trauma — But It Doesn’t Have To

Dental visits can retraumatize survivors of sexual assault. Learn trauma-informed tips that can ease anxiety and improve access to dental health.
August 01, 2025

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español.

Call 800.656.HOPE (4673)

Chat at hotline.RAINN.org

Text HOPE to 64673 

Get Help Now 

Join Our Community

Four-Friends-Hugging-

Show Support

Whether you’re a survivor yourself or know someone who is, your compassionate support can profoundly impact someone’s healing journey. Here’s how.

Take Action

Show up, speak out, and step in. Learn more about how you can add your voice, fight for justice, and help RAINN move its mission forward for survivors.