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RAINN's 2011: Thousands Helped, Millions Educated |
Launched new services for members of the military through a contract with the Department of Defense.
Record year: The Online Hotline helped more than 31,000 victims.
Passed the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Act, sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA).
Educated millions of Americans about child sexual abuse; more than 10,000 Penn State supporters joined together to help victims.
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CDC Finds 1 in 5 Women are Victims of Rape |
Nearly one in five American women have been raped at some time in their lives, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, just released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This finding is in line with earlier studies published by the Department of Justice.
CDC also found that the impact of sexual violence can last a lifetime; it says that 81% of victims “reported significant short or long term impacts... such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Learn more about the effects of sexual violence on RAINN’s website.
RAINN’s founder and president, Scott Berkowitz, told Reuters that the CDC numbers show rape "is still a crime that impacts almost every family in America."
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Hotels for Hope |
In another show of support for sexual abuse victims, 23 hotels in the State College, PA area joined together to support RAINN, organized by Hotels for Hope. During Penn State’s graduation weekend this month, Hotels for Hope and the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau donated $1 per occupied room night for the 2,000 participating hotel rooms. The donations will support RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Online Hotline. The hotels also provided visiting parents and alumni with information about sexual assault and RAINN’s outreach, and gave them the chance to order an official [Still] Proud to be a Penn Stater RAINN t-shirt.
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RAINN in the News |
"A rep for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) points out what a 'dangerous message' this is sending out. They make a good point. They always do."
— Perez Hilton commenting on Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino's rap song that glorifies rape.
"CDC, DOJ and other studies all show that this is an incredibly violent crime that impacts nearly every family in America."
— Scott Berkowitz, RAINN’s president, discusses the new survey from the Centers for Disease Control in The Washington Post.
"Now I'm 23, and sharing my story is a vital part of my healing process. I hope I can show people that rape and molestation in the family is a reality, and I hope I can show girls that they can come forward and say something."
— RAINN Speakers Bureau Member, Colleen Brase, on the Dr. Phil Show.
“Reluctance to report abuse is common. Reaching out to the authorities in itself can be scary. People may be intimidated because they don't know what process will follow.”
— RAINN's Hotline and Affiliate Services Director, Jennifer Marsh, discussing the difficulty of reporting sexual abuse.
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Lawmakers Making a Difference
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) |
“RAINN is a critical ally in the fight to help victims of sexual assault and violence. I share their commitment to eradicating these heinous crimes by providing survivors with a vast network of support and resources to ensure that they are kept safe and have the tools to recover emotionally and physically. As a long-time advocate against sexual violence, I look forward to continuing to work with RAINN on efforts to bolster prevention, education, and enforcement to ensure a safe and healthy environment for women and families in Connecticut and across the country.”
— Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
![Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)](http://rainn.org/newsletters/12-2011/sen-mike-crapo100w.jpg) |
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) |
“In our individual and collective efforts to combat sexual violence, nothing is more vital than groups like RAINN who provide the crucial services to our communities, offering safety and healing for victims and their children and raising awareness of the negative consequences of sexual abuse across the nation. As an ardent supporter of efforts to increase awareness and ultimately prevent sexual violence and abuse, I am thankful for the tireless commitment of RAINN to this effort."
—Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)
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More News |
UncommonGoods |
Looking for last minute holiday gifts? Find the perfect gift with UncommonGoods! Select RAINN when you checkout and $1 from your purchase will help survivors of sexual violence. Check out KaDee Strickland’s favorites and explore the rest of the site for other unique ideas.
Can’t wait to hit the post-holiday sales? Take advantage of all the sales at Amazon, Target and 300 more retailers at RAINN’s Online Shopping Mall. With just one click, your favorite retailers will donate a portion of your sale to RAINN — at no extra cost to you. Happy shopping!
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Penn Staters to Gather in Eight Cities on January 21 |
![penn state](http://rainn.org/newsletters/12-2011/penn-state-text2.jpg)
Join Penn State alumni on Saturday, January 21, for White Out Child Abuse — a nationwide effort to raise funds and awareness to fight childhood sexual abuse.
Events will be held in cities across the country, including New York, NY; Nashville, TN; Red Bank, NJ; Washington, DC; Philadelphia, PA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Charlotte, NC.
Please contact membership@rainn.org to find out more about an event in your area.
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Spotlight on the Speakers Bureau: Kayla Garriott |
Kayla Garriott
“Being part of the RAINN Speakers Bureau encourages me each and everyday to share my voice. It gives me not only the opportunity to share my story of abuse but to encourage others to do the same. RAINN has been a great resource for myself and my family while healing from the past. I'm happy to be part of something that is changing the world one voice at a time.”
Learn more about becoming a member of RAINN's Speakers Bureau |
Volunteer Spotlight: Ashley Harrell, Online Hotline |
Ashley Harrell
“I love that the online hotline provides a medium for support that allows many survivors to reach out who would not have been able or willing to utilize other channels for support. I think we get to serve so many populations that have trouble getting the kind of confidential support they need, such as minors, male survivors, and the LGBTQ community. This work is a constant reminder of what matters in life. There is no better feeling than to start a traumatic conversation with a survivor who is in crisis, crying because of the pain he or she has endured, and for the survivor to eventually end that conversation with expressions of gratitude, hope, and a renewed or discovered determination to heal.”
Learn more about volunteering for RAINN |
Did You Know? |
![online hotline](http://rainn.org/newsletters/12-2011/recovery-starts-here150w.jpg)
As a result of the Penn State story, more people got help from the Online Hotline in November than any month in its history; November 28 was the largest single day in Online Hotline history.
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Connect with RAINN on YouTube |
YouTube allows RAINN supporters to learn more about our work and how we directly support those in need. You can view videos and public service announcements featuring celebrities such as KaDee Strickland and Mick Foley on RAINN's YouTube Channel.
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