Public Policy & Action
Laws in Your State
From the legal definition of rape to the statute of limitation for a particular sex crime, where you live makes a difference. Here's a guide to the laws in your state.
RAINN Action Center
RAINN Needs Your Voice
Justice Delayed is justice denied. Urge your senators to do their part ot help end the rape kit backlog today.
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A bipartisan group of members of Congress, led by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Ben Cline (R-VA), has introduced the Child RESCUE Act, RAINN-supported legislation that will help ensure that children experiencing abuse can be identified and removed from harm as soon as possible.
RAINN Working With Lawmakers
RAINN provides a critical lifeline and support system to victims of sexual violence, which happens all too often in California and in communities across the country. I’m working hard to... to combat domestic violence and sexual assault, and to pass [legislation] to improve law enforcement’s ability to track sexual assault and prevent violent crimes.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA
I commend RAINN for its dedication to provide victims and survivors of sexual assault with the vital services and resources they need and deserve. There is no place in any society for acts of sexual assault. I am proud to raise awareness on this issue and will continue to work in the Senate advocating for legislation combatting sexual violence and helping survivors of these crimes.
Former Sen. Dean Heller, R-NV
RAINN has long been at the forefront of national efforts to prevent sexual assault and has helped millions of victims, families, friends, and community members — all touched by violent crime. As a former prosecutor, I am proud to support the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization and stand committed to joining RAINN in its efforts to improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-MN
RAINN's great work cannot be overstated and should not be overlooked. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I have been proud to work closely with RAINN to support multiple pieces of legislation that target the perpetrators of sexual violence and protect the victims of these terrible crimes. I look forward to continuing this important partnership with RAINN in the years to come.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX
RAINN is a critical ally in the fight to help victims of sexual assault and violence. I share their commitment to eradicating these heinous crimes by providing survivors with a vast network of support and resources to ensure that they are kept safe and have the tools to recover emotionally and physically. As a long-time advocate against sexual violence, I look forward to continuing to work with RAINN on efforts to bolster prevention, education, and enforcement to ensure a safe and healthy environment for women and families in Connecticut and across the country.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT
DNA and Sexual Violence
When law enforcement investigates a case of sexual violence, DNA evidence can sometimes make or break the outcome.
Learn MoreStatutes of Limitations
When a crime is committed, there is a window of time that a state has to charge the perpetrator. The laws that determine this time frame are called criminal statutes of limitations, and they vary by state, situation, and crime. How does your state stack up?
Learn MoreSexual Assault Laws and Court Decisions
Key federal laws help to prevent sexual violence, allocate critical funds, and establish protections for survivors.
Learn MoreIssues We Work On
RAINN’s Public Policy team works with lawmakers to ensure survivors have access to critical services after sexual assault and to improve the way perpetrators are prosecuted. Learn more about the bills we currently support and other issues.
Learn MoreMaryland Working Group Recommends Training for Judges Handling Custody Cases Involving Child Sexual Abuse
For many parents, going to court to fight for custody of their children is unimaginably difficult, and for those who are seeking custody because of child abuse or domestic violence, it can also be the deciding factor for the health and safety of them and their child.“The way children disclose or react when around an abuser just looks different than what an adult might do,” said Cooper. “If judges and others aren’t trained in looking out for these signs, they could be condemning a child to full, unsupervised custody with a parent who is physically and sexually abusing them.”
Learn MoreHow the RAINN Speakers Bureau Creates Political Change
The RAINN Speakers Bureau is a network of more than 4,000 survivors of sexual violence who volunteer to share their stories. Members across the United States share their experiences through the media, community events, artistic projects, and more. “Joining the Speakers Bureau made me feel like I was helping others as well as myself,” says Speakers Bureau member Rebecca Courtright. “By using my voice, I feel I have regained my true path to help others and create a better future for all victims of sexual violence.”
Learn MoreRAINN Congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris
"We look forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration, as well as Republicans and Democrats in Congress, to finally clear the rape kit backlog and to protect children from exploitation and abuse. We hope that, with their support, we will see full funding for the Debbie Smith grant program, SAKI, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force program, and local service providers who aid victims of sexual violence.”
Learn MoreRAINN Files Amicus Brief to Uphold Cosby Conviction on Appeal
As the Pennsylvania Supreme Court weighs Bill Cosby’s appeal of his conviction, RAINN and its pro bono legal partners at Hogan Lovells US LLP, have filed an amicus brief arguing to uphold the verdict. “The similarities in Cosby’s crimes are no coincidence. Cosby has shown a clear and consistent pattern of predatory behavior,” said Berkowitz. “We support the court’s decision to allow testimony from other victims of Cosby to demonstrate his pattern of behavior.”
Learn MoreNew RAINN-Supported Legislation Seeks to Help Rescue Children from Harm
A bipartisan group of members of Congress, led by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Ben Cline (R-VA), has introduced the Child RESCUE Act, which will help ensure that children experiencing abuse can be identified and removed from harm as soon as possible. To create a proactive strategy to identify dual offenders and remove kids from harm, the Child RESCUE Act would establish a commission that brings together subject matter experts from the FBI, Department of Justice, RAINN, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Learn MoreHow RAINN’s Policy Team Works to Help Survivors
Recently, as Congress has considered police reform legislation, RAINN has urged House and Senate leaders to include a number of additional changes to help survivors of sexual violence. RAINN’s suggestions address issues that disproportionately impact Black victims of sexual violence, especially Black girls, who are overrepresented in juvenile justice data.
Learn MoreRAINN Shares Recommendations for Additional Police Reforms with Congressional Leadership
Black girls are disproportionately represented in juvenile justice data. According to research, “Black girls are 14% of the youth population, but are 33% of girls who are detained and committed. Seventy-six percent of justice-involved girls have physical and sex abuse histories.”As Congress considers police reform legislation, RAINN has urged House and Senate leaders to include a number of additional reforms to address issues that disproportionately impact Black victims of sexual violence.
Learn MoreRAINN Working to Protect Vulnerable Populations During COVID-19 Crisis
RAINN is working with state agencies to address emergency preparedness and response measures for survivors of sexual violence, particularly children, during the COVID-19 pandemic. “During natural disasters and in conflict zones, the prevalence of sexual violence increases,” said Camille Cooper, RAINN’s vice president of public policy. “There are so many things we need to consider in this crisis to ensure that we’re doing all we can to prevent sexual violence and appropriately respond when it does happen.”
Learn MoreRAINN Releases Resources for Preventing & Responding to Sexual Violence in Temporary Medical Facilities During COVID-19
RAINN today shared with government agencies at the federal, state and local levels a new checklist of considerations for preventing and responding to sexual violence as they build and manage temporary medical facilities related to COVID-19. RAINN has created a central hub of guidance documents from leading experts with COVID-19-specific protocols for investigators, prosecutors, courts, and public officials. The guidance covers issues such as investigating sexual assault; forensic interviews for abused children; and ensuring the continuity of services such as sexual assault forensic exams during coronavirus-related closures.
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