RAINN’s vice president of victim services, Keeli Sorensen, delivered a keynote address last month at cloud communications company Twilio’s annual conference in San Francisco. In her speech, Sorensen emphasized the role that technological innovation and infrastructure play in RAINN’s everyday work to support survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones.

RAINN and Hulu have partnered up for the release of a new documentary film, Untouchable, in which survivors of Harvey Weinstein share their stories of abuse and its effects on their lives and careers. Before the film's release, RAINN interviewed its director, Ursula Macfarlane, to hear about how she supported the survivors who participated and what she hopes viewers will take away from the documentary. 

Millions of high school and college students in the United States will head to campus for the first time or return for another year this fall. Bystander intervention is a powerful way that individuals of all ages can look out for each other and help create safe and respectful spaces.

As a court weighs Bill Cosby’s appeal of his conviction, RAINN and its pro bono legal team at Hogan Lovells, LLP, have filed a joint amicus brief arguing to uphold the verdict. The brief makes the case that the testimony of five additional victims who testified against Cosby established a pattern of behavior, and that the experiences of the witnesses were strikingly similar to the experience of Andrea Constand.

Pride month is a joyful celebration of all genders and sexualities as well as a solemn reminder of the difficulties many LGBTQ people continue to face. Sexual violence is an issue that affects all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

In honor of RAINN’s 25th anniversary, each month we’ll be taking a closer look at the people and programs that are essential in our work to help survivors today and every day. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on RAINN’s volunteer program.

Millions of Americans and their families feel the effects of trauma on mental health each year, and a portion of those people are survivors of sexual violence. Mental Health Awareness Month this May is a time to reflect on how to support those in your life who experience difficulties with mental health, reduce stigma around seeking treatment, and advocate for equal access to care.

Individuals and communities across the country recognize Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (#SAAPM) each April. This year, as RAINN reflects on 25 years of helping survivors, we’re making this April not only about awareness, but action.

Over the weekend Leaving Neverland, a documentary about allegations of child sexual abuse against Michael Jackson, debuted on HBO. It was followed by Oprah Winfrey Presents: After Neverland. RAINN worked with HBO and OWN to provide resources for anyone watching the shows who has been affected by sexual violence.

Debbie Smith Act Leads to 192,000 DNA Matches

The Debbie Smith Act (DSA), the federal government’s primary tool to eliminate the backlog of untested DNA evidence from unsolved rape cases, is responsible for nearly half of all matches to the FBI’s DNA database, CODIS. Now, Congress is about to consider whether to renew the program for five more years.