Sexual Violence Resource: RAINN
By Alexis DeVries
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN is helpful to readers on the internet because the website educates its audience about sexual assault, safety & prevention, public policy, consulting, and how to get involved in the fight against sexual assault culture both socially & politically.
Using RAINN, I found out that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. I also learned about many types of sexual violence, including rape, child sexual abuse, intimate partner sexual violence, and forms of violence that may arise jointly in these instances. The website even discusses how sexual violence can have psychological, emotional, and physical effects on a survivor. These effects aren't always easy to deal with, but they can be managed with the right help and support. Sexual assault survivors can benefit significantly from RAINN because it educates them on the legal procedures available. Something I didn't know before is that when a crime is committed, there is a window of time for a state to charge the perpetrator. The laws that determine this time frame are called Criminal Statutes of Limitations, varying by state, situation, and crime. The Statutes of Limitations can help sexual assault cases and give survivors legal and psychological help from the effects of sexual violence.
This sexual violence resource is valuable to survivors, but the information can also be helpful for anyone who wants to educate themselves. RAINN can benefit women who want to learn the warning signs and how to respond if someone is pressuring them. Lastly, RAINN can help men who want to know about consent and how not to become a perpetrator. The website shows the audience what consent looks like instead of what is portrayed in the media.
References:
https://www.rainn.org/about-sexual-assault
