Films and television have the power to create lasting societal change. For the past nine years, filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering have been at the forefront of changing the narrative on sexual assault. Their first film in 2012, The Invisible War, chronicled sexual assault within the U.S. military and led to policy changes, while their follow up film, The Hunting Ground, documented student activists pushing for changes to Title IX, opening up more avenues for justice on college campuses.

RAINN Day (April 8, 2021) is an annual way for college students across the country to speak out about sexual violence and raise awareness on this pervasive issue. This year, as many college events once again are virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are hosting a special planning webinar—“Won’t Stay Quiet: Planning for RAINN Day Virtually”— to help our campus partners make their events as successful as possible.

Safe Helpline is working to make self-care more accessible to military survivors of sexual assault with resources that can help survivors in their wellness journey.

The event will feature inspiring performances from Broadway and beyond—including Kristin Chenoweth, Cheyenne Jackson, Jewel, Leslie Odom Jr., Kelli O’Hara, Ashley Park, Billy Porter, and Vanessa Williams—with special appearances from singer-songwriter Tori Amos, actress Annaleigh Ashford, actress Connie Britton, and others. Voices for RAINN will be held live on Monday, December 7 at 8 p.m. ET on Facebook and YouTube.

“This report, while welcomed for its transparency, is only one of many steps the Vatican needs to take to truly rout out sexual abuse within the church,” said Erinn Robinson, press secretary, RAINN. “We urge the Vatican to take additional action to correct its institutional systems that permitted these abuses to continue for far too long. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse have been courageously coming forward for decades. Every one of them deserves accountability.”

Jennifer Storm is an award winning victims’ rights expert, survivor of sexual violence and addiction, advocate, and best-selling author on trauma and addiction. Her book, Blackout Girl: Tracing My Scars from Addiction and Sexual Assault; With New and Updated Content for the #MeToo Era, tells her story of surviving sexual violence and the effects it had on the mental health struggles and addiction she experienced.

“We thank the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for continuing its investigation and bringing additional charges against Harvey Weinstein. Seeing powerful perpetrators face justice sends a strong message to the public. We continue to be inspired by the survivors speaking out and moments like this when, no matter how powerful or well-connected, perpetrators of these crimes do not escape the harm they have caused.” - Scott Berkowitz, president of RAINN.

This October, RAINN recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the impact that sexual violence has on those trapped at home with an abuser. Because 8 out of 10 sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, staying at home can mean that a survivor is in close proximity with the person harming them. Because so many doors are closed right now, it is more important than ever to be proactive in offering survivors support and resources.