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Introducing: RAINN
Jan. 26th, 2019 01:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fthmodsEvery 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted, and every 11 minutes, that victim is a child.(1) Approximately 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. About 1 out of every 33 American men has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in his lifetime. (2) Meanwhile, only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison.(1) These horrific statistics do not cover the scope of the problem, as sexual violence is “notoriously difficult to measure and there is no single source of data that provides a complete picture of the crime”, but they do begin to show how pervasive and severe an issue it is.(2) Each of these people not only experiences a traumatic event, but must also bear the stigma and enduring consequences of that event—including an increased awareness of how sexual violence survivors are depicted in the media and discussed by authority figures.
Trump has openly derided the testimony of a sexual assault victim while on stage at a political rally. (3) Trump himself has had allegations of harassment and assault leveled at him by at least 19 women, who cite incidents dating as far back as the 1980s.(4) (5) The Trump administration’s new policies on sexual violence in colleges and universities has created a legal exemption for the investigation of any assaults that do not take place on campus, or are not reported to the school official designated to deal with such cases. The alleged victim could also have to prove their case by the “clear and convincing” standard of evidence, as opposed to the less strict “preponderance of the evidence” standard previously required.(6)
Additionally, the Trump administration has changed the Department of Justice’s definitions of sexual assault so that it is now defined as “any non-consensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent”, narrowing the definition and to an “act” and erasing the lack of explicit consent of the recipient as the defining characteristic of an assault.(7) It is clear that through semantic changes, policy amendments and toxic rhetoric, the Trump administration intends to devalue sexual assault victims and harm their chances of overcoming their experiences. This can also be regarded as part of a larger trend of pushing back women’s rights in general, and speaks to the continued marginalisation of vulnerable communities under the Trump administration.
The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the US’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, and the leading authority on sexual violence. Encompassing public education, public policy, consulting services and technology, RAINN’s team of experts in victim services, educators and trained volunteers work together to create victim-centered, trauma-informed services. It operates the free National Sexual Assault Hotline, which is accessible 24/7 by phone as well as its anonymous, IM-based online counterpart since 2008, the first of its kind.(8) Working with over 1,000 local sexual assault service providers, RAINN helps offer confidential support services to survivors regardless of where they are in their recovery.(9) (10) Founded as a phone hotline, RAINN widened their mission to include educating the public; improving public policy; and, most recently, consulting for companies and institutions to improve how they handle sexual assault prevention and response. (11)
RAINN’s public education programme runs education workshops and trainings on sexual violence, plus raises the visibility of sexual violence and advances the public’s understanding of the crime by liaising and consulting for the media, entertainment industries and colleges to provide expert advice and accurate information. RAINN operates the Speakers Bureau, a network of more than 1,500 survivors who voluntarily share their stories with local communities and the media, ensuring that real stories are being heard. RAINN also works on public policy at the federal and state level to improve the criminal justice system, prevent sexual assault, and ensure justice for survivors. This includes leading the US effort to overcome the rape kit backlog and maintaining the Laws in Your State database which contains up-to-date information on sexual violence laws across the US.(10) 2018 saw the longest, sustained growth of people reaching out in RAINN’s 25-year history, with the result of 73 victim services professionals being hired, and the recruitment of dozens of new hotline volunteers to handle the increased demand. (12) Thus far, RAINN’S hotlines have helped over 2.7 million survivors since its foundation in 1994.(13)
The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network is a tax deductible 501(c)3 charitable organisation.
Citations:
[1] “Statistics.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/statistics.
[2] “Scope of the Problem: Statistics.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem.
[3] Bever, Lindsey. “Trump's Onstage Mockery of Christine Blasey Ford Was 'Hurtful' to Sexual Assault Survivors.” The Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/03/why-trumps-onstage-mockery-christine-blasey-ford-was-hurtful-sexual-assault-survivors/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6a1c887fe3cb.
[4] Ford, Matt. “What About the 19 Women Who Accused Trump of Sexual Misconduct?” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 12 Dec. 2017, www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/12/what-about-the-19-women-who-accused-trump/547724/.
[5] Evon, Dan. “FACT CHECK: Did Sexual Assault Allegations Against Donald Trump Only Start With the 2016 Election?” Snopes.com, www.snopes.com/fact-check/was-donald-trump-accused-of-sexual-assault-prior-to-the-2016-election/.
[6] Caroline Kitchener, Adam Harris. “A Step-by-Step Guide to Trump's New College Sexual-Assault Policy.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 7 Sept. 2018, www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/08/a-guide-to-how-the-new-rules-on-campus-sexual-assault-could-work/569035/.
[7] Oppenheim, Maya. “Trump's Decision to Change Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Definitions 'Roll Women's Rights Back 50 Years'.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 24 Jan. 2019, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-domestic-abuse-sexual-assault-definition-womens-rights-justice-department-a8744546.html.
[8] Kornblum, Janet. “More Abuse Victims Able to Get Help Online.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 14 Apr. 2008, usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-13-online-abuse-hotlines_N.htm.
[9] “Programs and Expertise.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/programs-and-expertise.
[10] “About the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline.
[11] Berkowitz, Scott. “RAINN’s President and Founder Reflects on 25 Years.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/news/rainn’s-president-and-founder-reflects-25-years.
[12] “In 2018, RAINN Helped More Survivors Than Ever.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/news/2018-rainn-helped-more-survivors-ever.
[13] “About RAINN.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/about-rainn.
Trump has openly derided the testimony of a sexual assault victim while on stage at a political rally. (3) Trump himself has had allegations of harassment and assault leveled at him by at least 19 women, who cite incidents dating as far back as the 1980s.(4) (5) The Trump administration’s new policies on sexual violence in colleges and universities has created a legal exemption for the investigation of any assaults that do not take place on campus, or are not reported to the school official designated to deal with such cases. The alleged victim could also have to prove their case by the “clear and convincing” standard of evidence, as opposed to the less strict “preponderance of the evidence” standard previously required.(6)
Additionally, the Trump administration has changed the Department of Justice’s definitions of sexual assault so that it is now defined as “any non-consensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent”, narrowing the definition and to an “act” and erasing the lack of explicit consent of the recipient as the defining characteristic of an assault.(7) It is clear that through semantic changes, policy amendments and toxic rhetoric, the Trump administration intends to devalue sexual assault victims and harm their chances of overcoming their experiences. This can also be regarded as part of a larger trend of pushing back women’s rights in general, and speaks to the continued marginalisation of vulnerable communities under the Trump administration.
The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the US’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, and the leading authority on sexual violence. Encompassing public education, public policy, consulting services and technology, RAINN’s team of experts in victim services, educators and trained volunteers work together to create victim-centered, trauma-informed services. It operates the free National Sexual Assault Hotline, which is accessible 24/7 by phone as well as its anonymous, IM-based online counterpart since 2008, the first of its kind.(8) Working with over 1,000 local sexual assault service providers, RAINN helps offer confidential support services to survivors regardless of where they are in their recovery.(9) (10) Founded as a phone hotline, RAINN widened their mission to include educating the public; improving public policy; and, most recently, consulting for companies and institutions to improve how they handle sexual assault prevention and response. (11)
RAINN’s public education programme runs education workshops and trainings on sexual violence, plus raises the visibility of sexual violence and advances the public’s understanding of the crime by liaising and consulting for the media, entertainment industries and colleges to provide expert advice and accurate information. RAINN operates the Speakers Bureau, a network of more than 1,500 survivors who voluntarily share their stories with local communities and the media, ensuring that real stories are being heard. RAINN also works on public policy at the federal and state level to improve the criminal justice system, prevent sexual assault, and ensure justice for survivors. This includes leading the US effort to overcome the rape kit backlog and maintaining the Laws in Your State database which contains up-to-date information on sexual violence laws across the US.(10) 2018 saw the longest, sustained growth of people reaching out in RAINN’s 25-year history, with the result of 73 victim services professionals being hired, and the recruitment of dozens of new hotline volunteers to handle the increased demand. (12) Thus far, RAINN’S hotlines have helped over 2.7 million survivors since its foundation in 1994.(13)
The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network is a tax deductible 501(c)3 charitable organisation.
Citations:
[1] “Statistics.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/statistics.
[2] “Scope of the Problem: Statistics.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem.
[3] Bever, Lindsey. “Trump's Onstage Mockery of Christine Blasey Ford Was 'Hurtful' to Sexual Assault Survivors.” The Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/03/why-trumps-onstage-mockery-christine-blasey-ford-was-hurtful-sexual-assault-survivors/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6a1c887fe3cb.
[4] Ford, Matt. “What About the 19 Women Who Accused Trump of Sexual Misconduct?” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 12 Dec. 2017, www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/12/what-about-the-19-women-who-accused-trump/547724/.
[5] Evon, Dan. “FACT CHECK: Did Sexual Assault Allegations Against Donald Trump Only Start With the 2016 Election?” Snopes.com, www.snopes.com/fact-check/was-donald-trump-accused-of-sexual-assault-prior-to-the-2016-election/.
[6] Caroline Kitchener, Adam Harris. “A Step-by-Step Guide to Trump's New College Sexual-Assault Policy.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 7 Sept. 2018, www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/08/a-guide-to-how-the-new-rules-on-campus-sexual-assault-could-work/569035/.
[7] Oppenheim, Maya. “Trump's Decision to Change Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Definitions 'Roll Women's Rights Back 50 Years'.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 24 Jan. 2019, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/trump-domestic-abuse-sexual-assault-definition-womens-rights-justice-department-a8744546.html.
[8] Kornblum, Janet. “More Abuse Victims Able to Get Help Online.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 14 Apr. 2008, usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-13-online-abuse-hotlines_N.htm.
[9] “Programs and Expertise.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/programs-and-expertise.
[10] “About the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline.
[11] Berkowitz, Scott. “RAINN’s President and Founder Reflects on 25 Years.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/news/rainn’s-president-and-founder-reflects-25-years.
[12] “In 2018, RAINN Helped More Survivors Than Ever.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/news/2018-rainn-helped-more-survivors-ever.
[13] “About RAINN.” RAINN | The Nation's Largest Anti-Sexual Violence Organization, www.rainn.org/about-rainn.
