RAINN's issue-focused memos provide a comprehensive look at today's most pressing sexual violence issues. Leverage our expert insights to create and advance meaningful legislation that supports survivors of sexual violence and delivers justice to perpetrators.

Deepfakes: Nonconsensual Manipulated Intimate Material

The personal trauma of the nonconsensual use of a victim’s image or voice to create modified explicit material or the distribution of private material can last a lifetime. The harm is repeated every time the material is reproduced...

GET THE MEMO (Updated: July 2024)

Immunity for Sexual Violence Reporting

The focus of any investigation of sexual violence should be on the perpetrator’s disregard of the victim's lack of consent, and not on any of the victim’s possible misdemeanor crimes. Providing immunity for misdemeanor alcohol and drug crimes makes clear that the law prioritizes victims reporting a sex crime and holding a violent offender accountable. Victims are never at fault for assault, regardless of what substances they’ve been involved with...

GET THE MEMO (Updated: October 2024)

Involuntary Pelvic Exams

Especially for survivors of sexual assault, ensuring that medical interactions are transparent and safe protects against retraumatization and avoidance of needed healthcare from fear. Transparency cannot occur without both the comfort and consent of patients and medical trainees...

GET THE MEMO (Updated: July 2024)

Statutes of Limitations for Sex Crimes (Civil)

Survivors of sexual assault cannot access justice in many states. By amending the civil statutes of limitations for sex crimes, your state can begin to show survivors that they are the priority, not the perpetrator...

GET THE MEMO (Updated: August 2024)

Statutes of Limitations for Sex Crimes (Criminal)

We have a responsibility to create a system in which more victims choose to report because they believe it is in their best interest. This will serve states’ overall public safety interests, and support efforts to hold perpetrators of sexual assault—who are often serial criminals—accountable... 

GET THE MEMO (Updated: July 2024)

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