With the renewed focus on sexual violence in the news, a record number of survivors turned to RAINN for help. In November alone, RAINN saw a 26 percent increase in hotline traffic, with our victim service programs helping an average of 673 survivors each day. Helping survivors is a year-round effort.

In 2017, we worked with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in statehouses across the country to advance legislation to support survivors and address sexual violence. We worked with media, TV networks, companies, and other organizations to elevate the conversation and educate tens of millions of Americans about sexual harassment and assault.

“Ending sexual violence takes every one of us,” said RAINN president Scott Berkowitz. “We couldn’t have done this work without the tens of thousands of volunteers, donors, corporate sponsors, and government partners that support RAINN day in and day out. Their continued support is critical to these programs.”

Here are a few of the ways RAINN has worked to support survivors and fight sexual violence this year.

• The National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) helped more than 200,000 survivors this year.
• Launched the Prevention Navigator, a one-of-a-kind tool to help colleges choose a sexual assault prevention program, and worked closely with Congressional leaders on the Campus Accountability and Safety Act to improve colleges’ prevention and response programs.
• Partnered with TV shows on storylines about sexual violence, including ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder, Netflix’s The Keepers and Freeform’s The Bold Type.
• Provided program assessments, consulting services, training, and hotline services to dozens of colleges, high schools, travel and entertainment companies, and federal agencies.
• Created an online webtool that allows users to take a closer look at criminal statutes of limitations for sex crimes and worked with legislators to encourage statutes of limitations reform.
• Spearheaded and led a coalition of more than 100 national, state, and local groups to pass the Justice for All Reauthorization Act, which has increased the use of DNA and helped solve thousands of open rape cases; enhanced victims’ rights; and expanded access to sexual assault nurse examiners.

To support survivors of sexual assault, donate today to RAINN. All donations in the month of December will be matched by generous donors.