Following last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing regarding the sexual assault allegations made by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a record number of survivors turned to RAINN for help.

Between Thursday, the day of the hearing, and Sunday, RAINN saw a 338 percent increase in hotline traffic. For the full month of September, RAINN’s victim services programs helped 28,509 survivors and their loved ones, an average of 950 each day, compared to 18,129 helped last September.

Friday, September 28, was the busiest day in the 24-year history of the National Sexual Assault Hotline, with more than 3,000 people receiving help.

“History shows us that when high-profile allegations such as these are in the news it often causes others to reach out too. This story has clearly resonated with survivors, and has led thousands to reach out for help for the first time,” said RAINN president Scott Berkowitz. “Over this past year, following the cases of Weinstein and Cosby and the explosion of #MeToo, our numbers have been growing pretty rapidly, but we’ve never seen anything like this before.”

RAINN last week called on the Senate to delay the vote and reopen Kavanaugh’s background check to investigate the allegations. The Senate took this action on Friday, giving the FBI one week to report back on its findings.

“Sexual assault affects nearly every family in America,” Berkowitz added. “Helping survivors is a year-round effort, and we are grateful for the support we have received from many supporters. I’m also grateful to our incredible hotline staff and volunteers, who have been working 24/7 to help survivors, and to our 1,000 local partners, who are also working tirelessly to support survivors in their communities.”

Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and online.RAINN.org. Those wanting to get involved, can look for ways to volunteer here. Donations to help support the hotline can be made here.