This year during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, RAINN focused on the vital role friends and family play in supporting survivors. “We hear time and again from survivors that the support they receive from those they’re closest to can have a huge impact on their healing,” says Heather...
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Latest News| Jun 19, 2020
For Many Black Survivors, Reporting Raises Complicated Issues
According to Department of Justice statistics, Black girls and women 12 years and older experienced higher rates of rape and sexual assault than white, Asian, and Latina girls and women from 2005-2010. Not only do members of the Black communitty experience higher rates of sexual violence, but they often feel they have few options for seeking justice and help due to a number of widespread institutional and historical factors. “If I could say one thing to other Black survivors right now, it would be,’ You matter and there is help,’” said Sonya, survivor and RAINN Speakers Bureau member.
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Jun 19, 2020
Barriers to Reporting Sexual Violence in LGBTQ Communities
Members of LGBTQ communities in the U.S. face higher rates of sexual violence than the general population. While many survivors face barriers that may prevent them from reporting sexual violence, such as the fear of being judged or not believed, members of LGBTQ communities often face additional barriers to reporting or getting help. “No one should be denied access to these crucial resources because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” says Sorensen. “All survivors of sexual violence should have access to the support they deserve.”
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Jun 17, 2020
RAINN Shares Recommendations for Additional Police Reforms with Congressional Leadership
Black girls are disproportionately represented in juvenile justice data. According to research, “Black girls are 14% of the youth population, but are 33% of girls who are detained and committed. Seventy-six percent of justice-involved girls have physical and sex abuse histories.”As Congress considers police reform legislation, RAINN has urged House and Senate leaders to include a number of additional reforms to address issues that disproportionately impact Black victims of sexual violence.
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Jun 19, 2020
Author of New Children’s Book on Healing and Exploring Identity
In the just-released children’s book, The Ship We Built, author Lexie Bean tells the story of a transgender boy, Rowan, learning to embrace his own identity while healing from child sexual abuse. Based on the author’s own experiences, The Ship We Built tells a tender and nuanced story that can help children—and people of all ages—understand their own identities and how they can support others who are discovering theirs while healing. RAINN’s Christy Rozek recently sat down (virtually) with Lexie to learn more about their story as a survivor and author.
Learn More Latest News | May 12, 2020
Musician and RAINN Supporter on How Men Can Help End Sexual Violence
"It’s one thing to show solidarity behind the scenes, but we need to be more vocal as men. The time for accountability has to be now, or else nothing will change. This is not a political issue, it’s an issue any decent human should care about." — Trapper Schoepp, singer-songwriter and member of...
Latest News | May 01, 2020
RAINN Response to Biden Addressing Tara Reade's Allegations
"We appreciate Vice President Biden finally addressing Tara Reade's allegations. These allegations deserve a rigorous investigation, and we urge Vice President Biden to release any and all records that may be relevant, including those housed at the University of Delaware, in addition to any Senate...
Latest News | April 30, 2020
RAINN Statement on Accusations Against Vice President Joe Biden
“We appreciate that some in the media have taken Tara Reade’s allegations seriously and urge that they be investigated fairly and rigorously. We also call on Vice President Biden to address the allegations directly and to fully cooperate in an investigation. As stories like this are in the news,...
Latest News | April 21, 2020
RAINN Releases Resources for Preventing & Responding to Sexual Violence in Temporary Medical Facilities During COVID-19
RAINN today shared with government agencies at the federal, state and local levels a new checklist of considerations for preventing and responding to sexual violence as they build and manage temporary medical facilities related to COVID-19. RAINN has created a central hub of guidance documents from...