Hit recording artist Rahsaan Patterson is releasing a new original song, “Don’t Touch Me,” which will raise money for RAINN. Patterson, a former star of the American children’s television program Kids Incorporated, has sold more than 10 million CDs to date with six critically-acclaimed releases.
Patterson explains the motivation behind “Don’t Touch Me” and his partnership with RAINN: “I was sexually assaulted when I was 6-years-old and wasn’t able to share it with my family until I was 18-years-old. Looking back on it, I wish there was an organization like RAINN that I could have turned to for help with dealing with what happened to me,” said Patterson. “After 30 years I finally have an appreciation and love for myself that has been missing for most of my life. The most important thing for me at this point is to be able to communicate through music and art and help others. What happened was extremely traumatic and will forever be embedded in my mind and in my life. It’s nothing I can avoid so it’s really about accepting it, owning it and knowing that it’s happened but it doesn’t have to represent who I am for the rest of my life.”
"RAINN is incredibly honored and excited to partner with Rahsaan," president and founder of RAINN, Scott Berkowtiz said. "His courageous and charitable spirit is an inspiration to so many. The release of "Don't Touch Me" also comes at a pertinent time as April is National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. We hope that others will find the strength from Rahsaan to come forward and get the help they deserve."
Patterson’s song is available for download on iTunes.
For more information on Rahsaan Patterson and upcoming tour dates, please visit www.rahsaan.com, Facebook.com/Rahsaan. Patterson or twitter.com/MyNameIs2Long.
Read more about Rahsaan's story of survival and his RAINN benefit song, "Don't Touch Me"
Essence: Rahsaan Patterson Opens Up About Childhood Molestation, and Healing
The Root: Rahsaan Patterson on Surviving Sexual Abuse
Clutch: Rahsaan Patterson Talks Sexual Abuse, Raises Public Awareness With New Music