NSAH TERMS OF SERVICE
Updated June 11, 2025
IF YOU ARE IN DANGER, CONSIDERING SUICIDE, OR NEED EMERGENCY HELP, CALL 911 (IN THE U.S.), OR YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES OR VISIT THE NEAREST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM.
These Terms of Service (“Terms of Service”) apply to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (“RAINN”, “we” or “us”) and our Services (defined below), which include services offered through website at rainn.org or related sites of RAINN (“Sites” or each a “Site”) and the National Sexual Assault Hotline and Helproom (together or separately, “RAINN’s Confidential Hotline and Helproom Services”), which can be reached through phone (800.656.4673), text (64673), or chat via RAINN Hotline.
By visiting or using our Sites or Services, you agree to follow and are hereby bound by these Terms of Service. Our Terms of Service may change. If we update our Terms of Service, we will post the updated Terms of Service here. Any such changes will be effective upon posting. You should consult these Terms of Service each time you visit our Sites.
You agree that your use of our Sites, these Terms of Service and any disputes relating thereto shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the District of Columbia. Any dispute relating to this Agreement shall be resolved solely in the courts located in the District of Columbia.
If you do not agree with these Terms of Service, you should not use our Sites. If you have any questions or suggestions about these Terms of Service, please contact RAINN at 202.544.1034 or info@rainn.org.
The material on our Sites may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. We may shut down our Sites and terminate these Terms of Service at any time. However, in the event of such a termination, the Limitations of Liability, Disclaimer, and Governing Law sections will continue to apply.
What is the National Sexual Assault Hotline and how does it work?
When you connect with RAINN and the National Sexual Assault Hotline, the primary purpose of our support team is to provide emotional support to you and assist you in getting any additional support you may need. You do not need to be in a dangerous situation or experiencing abuse to use our Services.
RAINN, and its services, are not mental healthcare treatment or providers. Your use of our Services does not create a legal confidential relationship, such as a licensed doctor-patient or licensed therapist-patient. RAINN services are not a substitute for professional healthcare.
RAINN provides support on an “as is” and “as available” basis. RAINN expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. This means we do not make any promises or guarantees about RAINN Services. For example, we do not guarantee that RAINN will:
Your Responsibilities
You assume all risks relating to or arising from your use of our Sites and Services. RAINN acknowledges that users come to us with a wide range of emotions and are at different stages of healing. Users of our Sites and Services are asked to be respectful, thoughtful and civil in all communications with RAINN staff. RAINN does not tolerate harassment, bullying, discrimination, racism, sexism or aggression of any kind. If you violate any of these community standards, or otherwise disrupt, interfere with or harass RAINN staff, you may be restricted or barred from our Services and Sites.
You also agree to:
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Be respectful to the specialist supporting you. We understand that you may be experiencing strong emotions and you are allowed to be angry, sad, and every other feeling. Our hotline specialists are here to support you and give you space to have varied emotions. They also deserve and expect to be treated with respect in return.
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Not spam the lines. This means generating multiple calls, chats, or texts with the intent to increase wait times.
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Not videotape or record conversations, nor share them on public platforms and/or social media.
Hotline specialists will ask you to stop the above behaviors and they have the right to disconnect from you if the behaviors continue.
Our Responsibilities
Please see our Privacy Policy for information regarding our collection, disclosure and processing of personal information.
RAINN is not responsible for decisions you may make while contacting the Hotlines. We are also not responsible for any decisions you make after contacting RAINN, such as decisions about seeking professional care.
RAINN is not liable for actions taken (or not taken) by you or a third party. You agree to indemnify us and hold us harmless for damages arising out of your use of RAINN Services. Without limiting the above, in no event is RAINN liable for any special, incidental, consequential, or indirect damages. This means RAINN is not responsible for any costs, financial or otherwise, you may incur after contacting the Hotlines.
Law Enforcement and 911
We reserve the right to disclose personal information to authorities (such by calling 911) at our sole discretion and as required by law. Examples include if we fear that you or another person are in danger.
Intellectual Property
RAINN respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users of our Sites to do the same. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to block and/or terminate access to our Sites from those that infringe on the rights of others.
Use of Our Sites and Content: The content included on our Sites, such as text, graphics, logos, buttons, icons, images, photographs, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the property of RAINN or its respective owner, and is protected by copyright law. Users of our Sites may not copy, print, or distribute any of the content thereon without permission and proper attribution. Resource articles may only be used for informational, non-commercial purposes. Linking to our Sites is permitted, as long as the link does not imply or suggest that RAINN has endorsed or is affiliated with the linked site.
Trademarks: RAINN®, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network®, National Sexual Assault Hotline® and other related trademarks or logos displayed on our Sites are the property of RAINN. You may not use them without our prior written consent. All other trademarks or logos displayed on our Sites are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with RAINN.
Copyrights: We will respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement that comply with applicable law and are properly provided to us. If you believe that your Content has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide us with the following information: (i) a physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf; (ii) identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed; (iii) identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material; (iv) your contact information, including your address, telephone number, and an email address; (v) a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and (vi) a statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and, under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner. Send your notice to our designated contact, the Online Hotline Administrator, at info@rainn.org or the address listed above.
Linked Sites
Our Sites may link to or be linked from other sites that are not maintained by RAINN. RAINN does not endorse, and is not responsible for the content of, any site other than the Sites.
Feedback and Suggestions
We welcome your feedback and suggestions regarding our Sites and Services. RAINN may use any such feedback and suggestions without attribution or compensation to you.