Honoring RAINN Day: 5 Ways To Take Action To End Sexual Violence

Every April, college students, community organizers, and others can come together to honor RAINN Day by raising awareness about sexual violence and supporting survivors through advocacy and fundraising initiatives. RAINN, which stands for the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, is an anti-sexual violence organization dedicated to educating the public on sexual violence, advocating for its prevention, and offering support for those who have experienced it. On RAINN Day, you can take action by spreading awareness, advocating for policy changes, and supporting survivors. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, seeking help through in-person or online therapy can be beneficial.

What is RAINN Day?

Understanding sexual violence

According to the World Health Organization, sexual violence tends to occur in communities throughout the world and across socioeconomic strata. The term sexual violence can be broad, encompassing acts such as the following:

• Rape
• Sexual abuse
• Unwanted sexual advances or sexual harassment
• Forced marriage
• Forced abortion
• Denial of the right to use contraception or prophylactics
• Female genital mutilation or inspections for virginity
• Forced prostitution or sex trafficking

While sexual violence often goes unreported, data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that it may be widespread, with more than half of women and nearly one-third of men having experienced unwanted sexual contact during their lifetime. 

Preventing sexual violence

Preventing sexual violence usually involves a multifaceted approach that addresses risk factors for both perpetrators and survivors, as well as broader societal, community, and institutional factors. This may include the efforts listed below.

• Promoting healthy family environments: Those raised in positive home environments are typically less likely to commit violence. Empowering parents and caregivers with resources and education on non-violent discipline and communication can help create supportive, nurturing environments in which young people can flourish. 
• Fostering emotional well-being and social connectedness: Promoting a culture of social inclusion, resilience, and emotional intelligence can be an effective way to reduce isolation and build safer, healthier communities.
• Educating young people about boundaries, consent, and communication: Comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education that covers respect for boundaries, the importance of consent, and effective communication skills in relationships can help young people learn to healthily navigate sex, dating, and relationships.
• Promoting alcohol awareness and safety: Alcohol and other substances can impair judgment and increase the risk of both experiencing and perpetrating sexual violence. Programs aimed at promoting safe, responsible consumption can be an effective way to reduce the risk of sexual assault.
• Improving institutional policies: Developing and enforcing clear policies to prevent sexual harassment and violence in workplaces, schools, and universities can create a safer environment for everyone. Training staff and students on these policies and procedures may ensure everyone understands their rights and responsibilities.
• Expanding access to support services: Increasing the availability of counseling, legal assistance, and medical care for survivors of sexual violence can help them receive the help they deserve to heal and recover. This could include community centers, hotlines, and online resources.
• Advocating for policy changes and enhanced legal frameworks: Lobbying for laws and regulations that protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable can be vital for enacting meaningful reform. This may include closing legal loopholes, improving the response of the criminal justice system, and ensuring comprehensive support for survivors.
• Encouraging community and bystander engagement: Educating people on how to recognize and respond to unsafe situations can be an effective way to prevent sexual violence and help survivors receive support. 

On RAINN Day, you might consider using your platform to promote prevention strategies by focusing on these critical perspectives. 

How to get involved and make a difference

This RAINN Day, you can make an impact in the fight against sexual violence by getting involved. Here are some practical ways to contribute.

1. Spread awareness of the issues

RAINN Day can be a good time to spread awareness about sexual violence. It might help to focus on the types of sexual violence that are most likely to occur within your community. For example, a college student could raise awareness about alcohol safety, consent and boundaries, and bystander engagement, while those in disadvantaged communities might highlight the prevalence of domestic violence and the need for accessible support services.

Public awareness campaigns that engage and educate can be especially effective, so consider organizing workshops or participating in social media challenges to encourage participation and discussion. You could include information about the factors that contribute to sexual violence, how to recognize the warning signs of sexual violence, and how to effectively intervene or navigate to safety. 

2. Support organizations like RAINN

RAINN, the National Sexual Violence Resources Center, and similar organizations are doing important work to help end sexual violence, and your support can make a difference. On RAINN Day, consider contributing in one of the following ways:

• Making a donation
• Starting a fundraiser
• Volunteering for RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline or a similar helpline
• Volunteering with a local shelter, crisis center, or support service organization

3. Advocate for policy changes

With an understanding of the various dimensions of sexual assault and prevention, you may be well-equipped to advocate for policy changes within your community. This may involve identifying systemic weak points that may contribute to sexual assault and looking for opportunities to enact public policies that promote safer, healthier communities, such as:

• Programs that support healthy family environments
• Institutions that foster academic achievement and gainful employment 
• Public and personal investment in initiatives to expand access to mental health care
• Policies that protect women, children, and other vulnerable populations
• Policies aimed at creating safer online environments

4. Find community solutions

In addition to working with local policymakers, you might also consider working with businesses, online platforms, and institutions to create meaningful solutions. 

For example, bars and nightclubs might be encouraged to train staff in bystander intervention techniques or implement policies that ensure the safety of patrons, while schools, universities, and other institutions might benefit from more comprehensive prevention and response programs. 

Law enforcement agencies can also be a critical point of contact for public safety initiatives, and specialized training can improve outcomes for survivors, as it may help officials handle sexual violence cases sensitively and effectively.

Online communities and platforms can also perpetuate or expose individuals to sexual violence. Social media, rideshare, and gaming platforms, for example, may be persuaded to enact stronger moderation policies, reporting mechanisms, and educational content to promote digital safety and respect. 

5. Support survivors

Those who have experienced sexual violence often require emotional support, access to medical care and counseling, legal assistance, and other resources. One of the most effective ways to make a difference may be to lend support to survivors. 

You can start by ensuring your friends and loved ones know they can come to you for help and connecting them with local support services and resources. You might consider volunteering with a local organization in this space or starting a grassroots organization within your own community.

Accessible trauma therapy

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual trauma, it may be comforting to know that counseling is available. Trauma therapists are typically trained to help individuals process and heal from their experiences, providing a safe and supportive environment to explore feelings, develop coping strategies, and work toward recovery. 

Trauma-focused psychotherapy can be an effective way to help those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions. 

Benefits of online therapy

Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp are often dedicated to making trauma therapy accessible to all. Online therapy might be preferable for those who may find it challenging to make it to in-person appointments, and attending therapy from one’s home or another comfortable location may make it easier to open up about potentially vulnerable topics like sexual violence. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

Research suggests that online therapy can produce the same client outcomes as traditional in-office therapy. A 2016 study investigating the efficacy of online cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD, which can arise due to sexual trauma, stated that the intervention “was associated with very large improvements on all outcome and process measures, with 80% of patients achieving clinically significant change and remission from PTSD.”