“Sexual Assault Is Not on the Syllabus”: RAINN Launches Campus Prevention & Response Campaign

September 9, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, today launched its 2026 Red Zone Awareness Campaign, a national education, prevention, and response effort built around a single message: sexual assault is not on the syllabus.

More than 18 million college students just started the fall semester. Research shows the first months on campus carry a heightened risk of sexual assault, particularly for first-year students — a period researchers and advocates have long called the “red zone.” One in 6 freshman women experiences sexual assault in their first year of college. But the red zone is only part of the picture.

“We make a mistake when we treat the red zone like a one-time, freshman-only orientation topic, ” says Jennifer Simmons Kaleba, RAINN vice president of communications. “Across the student body, 1 in 4 undergraduate women and 1 in 14 undergraduate men experience rape or sexual assault by force or incapacitation before they leave school. The red zone is a spike, not an end.”

Risk also tracks alongside the campus social calendar. At U.S. colleges with Division 1 football programs, reports of rape increased significantly on game days: 15 percent during away games and 41 percent during home games, adding a disturbing layer to the sports terminology of the ‘red zone’ in football. Researchers suggest this is because game days coincide with more partying, alcohol use, and social contact—all of which can contribute to perceived opportunity for sexual assault.

At the center of the campaign is the free RAINN Campus Action Kit—materials designed to help students start conversations about sexual violence, share reliable information, support survivors, and make prevention and response visible on their campus. Kits are available to individual students, student organizations, campus leaders, and anyone ready to help. RAINN is making 100 kits available for free this fall at RAINN.org/red-zone, while supplies last.

Additionally, RAINN is speaking directly to parents and trusted adults this fall, encouraging families to have the conversation about sexual violence prevention and response before something happens, not just after. RAINN has published a free tip sheet to help parents have clear, supportive conversations with their college kids.

“Have the conversation while it’s still hypothetical,” says Simmons Kaleba. “Make sure they know the only person responsible for sexual violence is the person committing it. Give them the words to call out abuse and abusers in the moment. Because four months ago, most of these students needed a hall pass to use the bathroom. Now we hand them a key, a roommate, and a new community, and we call them adults. Both things are true: they’re capable, and they’re brand new at this. That’s exactly why the conversation, hard as it may be, should happen now.”

The campaign runs through the fall semester. Students, parents, and campus leaders can claim a Campus Action Kit and find prevention resources at RAINN.org/red-zone.

About RAINN
RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, and creator and operator of the National Sexual Assault Hotline. RAINN’s mission is to stop sexual violence by supporting survivors, holding perpetrators accountable, and creating safer communities. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español is available. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673), chat at RAINN.org/hotline, or text “HOPE” to 64673.

Editor’s Note
RAINN asks that coverage of sexual violence include support resources for readers: the National Sexual Assault Hotline, 800.656.HOPE (4673), RAINN.org/hotline, or text “HOPE” to 64673. Survivor spokespeople, issue experts, and media backgrounder available on request.

Media Contact
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