The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, commonly known as RAINN, is a nonprofit advocacy and support services organization founded to support victims of sexual violence. The organization operates a variety of national programs including the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE), as well as the U.S. Department of Defense Safe Helpline for members of the U.S. military. The organization lobbies for increased funding for various federal programs and the congressional renewal of the Violence Against Women Act. While much of the lobbying done by the organization receives bipartisan support, RAINN has also recently lobbied for amendments to Democratic-led policing changes. ^{1 2}

In 2020, RAINN was featured in billionaire Mackenzie Scott’s “116 Organizations Driving Change.”  Scott, the billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, rose to prominence in 2020 by announcing that she would give away most of her vast fortune to predominantly left-leaning advocacy groups, many of which focused on race and gender issues. ³

Background

RAINN was founded by Scott Berkowitz in 1994. Berkowitz, who is still the president of the organization, initially founded RAINN solely to create a sexual assault hotline. Early corporate supporters of the organization included Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group, who had their affiliated performing artists record public service announcements for the organization and its hotline. Berkowitz also credits companies such as Google as well as both Democrats and Republicans in Congress including Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) with helping grow the organization to the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the United States. ⁴

The organization offers programming and educational resources for victims of sexual violence and is most notable for operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which now has both a phone and online component. The organization also has a contract with the Department of Defense to operate a helpline for military members facing sexual assault and abuse. ⁵

Public Policy Stances and Lobbying

RAINN employs a team of lobbyists that lobby on increased funding for state and federal sexual assault prevention programs. The organization’s lobbying efforts are ostensibly non-partisan and often include supporting legislation with bipartisan co-sponsors such as the 2021 Child RESCUE Act sponsored by Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Ben Cline (R-VA). ⁶ Key issues for the organization include reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and supporting additional state and federal grant programs for sexual assault prevention. Other issues the organization works on include programs to deter sex crimes on cruise ships, supporting crime victim compensation, and addressing the national backlog of rape kits. ^{7 8}

In 2020, RAINN weighed in on Democrat-led efforts to pass policing legislation by making several recommendations including creating citizen review panels for police forces and reauthorizing the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program. ⁹

Public Statements

RAINN is fairly consistent in making public statements calling for an investigation when a public figure is accused of sexual assault. RAINN released a joint statement along with Time’s Up, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, and the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault opposing a June 2021 decision by the Justice Department to not investigate a rape allegation against former President Donald Trump, stating that an investigation should be held. RAINN also somewhat similarly issued a statement calling for Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegations against then-presidential candidate Joe Biden to be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. ^{10 11}

Funding

Companies that fund RAINN include Google, Absolut, Hogan Lovells, Lyft, Uber, Erase the Hate, NBC Universal, the National Football League, and United Healthcare. ¹²

In 2020, RAINN was featured in billionaire Mackenzie Scott’s “116 Organizations Driving Change,” making RAINN one of the organizations that received some of the billions Scott donated in 2020. Scott, the billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, rose to prominence in 2020 by announcing that she would give away most of her vast fortune to predominantly left-leaning advocacy groups, many of which focused on race and gender issues. ^{13 14}

1. “RAINN Action Center.” RAINN. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/public-policy-action
2. “RAINN Shares Recommendations for Additional Police Reforms with Congressional Leadership.” RAINN. June 17, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/news/rainn-shares-recommendations-additional-police-reforms-congressional-leadership
3. Scott, MacKenzie. “116 Organizations Driving Change.” Medium. July 28, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://medium.com/@mackenzie_scott/116-organizations-driving-change-67354c6d733d
4. “RAINN’s President and Founder Reflects on 25 Years.” RAINN. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/news/rainns-president-and-founder-reflects-25-years
5. “IRS Form 990.” RAINN. 2020. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521886511/202033239349300513/full
6. “RAINN Action Center.” RAINN. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/public-policy-action
7. “Policy Issues.” RAINN. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/policy-issues
8. “Sustaining and Expanding Services.” RAINN. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/articles/sustaining-and-expanding-services
9. “RAINN Shares Recommendations for Additional Police Reforms with Congressional Leadership.” RAINN. June 17, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/news/rainn-shares-recommendations-additional-police-reforms-congressional-leadership
10. “RAINN Statement on Accusations Against Vice President Joe Biden.” RAINN. April 30, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/news/rainn-statement-accusations-against-vice-president-joe-biden
11. “A Statement from RAINN, Time’s Up, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, and the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault on the Justice Department’s Position in E. Jean Carroll’s Case Against Donald Trump.” RAINN. June 9, 2021. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/news/statement-rainn-time%E2%80%99s-national-alliance-end-sexual-violence-and-new-york-city-alliance-against
12. Corporate Partners.” RAINN. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/corporate-partners
13. Scott, MacKenzie. “116 Organizations Driving Change.” Medium. July 28, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://medium.com/@mackenzie_scott/116-organizations-driving-change-67354c6d733d
14. “RAINN Acknowledges Contribution by Mackenzie Scott. RAINN. July 28, 2020. Accessed August 8, 2021. https://www.rainn.org/news/rainn-acknowledges-contribution-mackenzie-scott