STRENGTH TO CARE SPOTLIGHT
RAINN x Real Toons: An Illustrator’s Art Aims To Stop Sexual Violence
Real Toons creator Davian Chester uses his art to launch powerful conversations and drive meaningful change.
“Making a difference doesn’t have to mean giving speeches or standing in the spotlight. For me, it’s about drawing what most people are afraid to say out loud.”
– Davian Chester, Real Toons
The Need: Creatively Prompt Conversations People Usually Avoid
We can’t prevent sexual assault and abuse if we aren’t willing to talk about it. But many people avoid conversations about sexual violence—for understandable reasons. The topic can feel too clinical, too heavy, too disruptive.
The problem? Ignoring an issue won’t make it go away. And since we very much want—need!—sexual violence to STOP, we also need people to pay attention.
That’s why RAINN partnered with Davian Chester, the artist and creator behind Real Toons Opens in a new tab. Davian’s work tackles tough topics in a way that inspires real people to show up, speak out, and step in with everyday acts of care to create safer communities and support survivors of sexual violence.
At RAINN, we call it Strength To Care—and Davian has it in spades.
RAINN x Real Toons on Drink Spiking
The Metrics:*
- 151k Likes
- 1.1k Comments
- 17k Reposts
- 63k Shares
- 24k Saves
*Sept. 26, 2025 – June 10, 2026
The Action: Cultivate Everyday Advocacy
Davian describes Real Toons as “a series that illustrates the Black experience and sparks dialogue around stereotypes, bias, and social issues.” His illustrated stories speak directly to relationship dynamics, current culture, and the hard truths many communities carry in silence.
The approach is simple: Use storytelling to draw people into authentic conversations that build awareness and inspire action.
Together, our creator-led sexual violence prevention posts have covered topics including drink spiking, child sexual abuse, tech-enabled sexual abuse, and political advocacy.
RAINN x Real Toons on Child Sexual Abuse
The Metrics:*
- 22k Likes
- 1.6k Comments
- 770k Reposts
- 1.3k Shares
- 3.2k Saves
*March 20, 2025 – June 10, 2026
Why Our Creative Approach Worked
Change-making content doesn’t just tell people what to think; it gives them a reason to pay attention.
Davian’s illustrations grab attention with scenes that feel both familiar and layered. The stories are emotionally honest without being exploitative, and they invite audiences to reflect, comment, and contemplate what taking action should look like.
That level of care is essential when the topic is sexual violence.
RAINN x Real Toons on Non-Consensual Nudes
The Metrics:*
- 8.9k Likes
- 429 Comments
- 332 Reposts
- 306 Shares
- 778 Saves
*April 3, 2025 – June 10, 2026
Real Toons x RAINN: Elements of a Powerful Post
- Davian’s cartoon about child sexual abuse uses a familiar caregiving scenario, an off-screen act of abuse, and a child’s disclosure to prompt discussion about how adults respond.
- The story does not sensationalize abuse. It shows how harm can hide behind normalcy, trust, and proximity, then asks the audience to think about what support and protection should look like next.
The takeaway? Responsible storytelling doesn’t have to soften the truth; it has to handle the truth with care.
The takeaway? Responsible storytelling doesn’t have to soften the truth; it has to handle the truth with care.
The Impact: Inspire Curiosity & Conversation
Across the RAINN x Real Toons collaboration, Davian’s posts generated more than 273,000 likes and 13,574 comments as of April 27, 2026. The metrics are impressive, but we find deeper value in how the audience interacted with the content:
They stopped scrolling.
They reacted and responded—strongly.
They explored solutions and shared personal stories.
They intentionally engaged with difficult subject matter in ways that felt practical, purposeful, and ready for action.
The Impact of Creator-Led Sexual Violence Prevention
- In the caption of the post about child sexual abuse, Davian asked: “What should the mother do next?” That simple question invited people to rehearse a response to a hypothetical situation—a situation faced by hundreds of thousands of American families every year.
- Art does not replace expert resources, hotline support, policy advocacy, or survivor services, but it can help people get close enough to the issue to care, learn, and act.
RAINN x Real Toons on Getting Help & Showing Support
The Metrics:*
- 6.7k Likes
- 83 Comments
- 311 Reposts
- 212 Shares
- 647 Saves
*April 10, 2025 – June 10, 2026
5 Advocacy Tips for Artists & Content Creators
Davian’s work offers a model for creators who want to use their platforms responsibly.
- Start with what you already do well. Davian did not need to become a policy expert or a clinician to contribute. He used his existing creative language: illustration, character, story, timing, and social conversation.
- Make hard topics easier to explore, not easier to dismiss. Real Toons does not avoid difficult truths. Instead, it gives audiences a way to confront hard facts without sensationalism.
- Invite people to think, not just react. Simple prompts like “What should happen next?” create room for reflection. They ask audiences to practice care well before a crisis occurs.
- Pair creativity with credible resources. Awareness has more value when people know where to turn next. RAINN’s role was to connect the conversation to trusted information, survivor-centered resources, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
- Let the audience see themselves as a vital part of prevention. Davian’s storytelling made sexual violence prevention feel less abstract. Audiences discovered that action can begin with paying attention, asking better questions, sharing experiences, and responding with care.
RAINN x Real Toons on Political Advocacy
The Metrics:*
- 3k Likes
- 33 Comments
- 162 Reposts
- 69 Shares
- 269 Saves
*April 27, 2025 – June 10, 2026
The Ask: Use What You Have
Strength To Care is for anyone and everyone willing to take the next step from passive concern to active compassion.
Davian chose to show up, speak out, and step in with art that educates and engages.
RAINN x Real Toons on Deepfakes
The Metrics:*
- 4k Likes
- 163 Comments
- 459 Reposts
- 436 Shares
- 542 Saves
*May 22, 2025 – June 10, 2026
Other creatives might use music, writing, photography, filmmaking, design, dance, acting, comedy, or a platform that reaches people RAINN may not reach on its own.
Ask yourself: “What do I have that could help someone else feel less alone, more informed, or better prepared to act?”
Whatever your answer, we invite you to join the movement demanding prevention, justice, and healing for everyone.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español.
Call 800.656.HOPE (4673)
Chat at RAINN.org/hotline
Text “HOPE” to 64673
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