RAINN Anti-Sexual Violence Organization
RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual-violence organization, working to create a safer world for all. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE provides programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
History of RAINN
In 1994, President William J. Clinton appointed Mary P. Koss, Ph.D., CDC Scientist and Director of Sexual Violence Research at Arizona State University, as Chair of the Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women (ACVAW), a part of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
At that time, there was only one coordinated national exceptional resource and referral hotline for victims of sexual assault, the National Women’s Resource Center Hotline at 1.800.786.2900 (now called 1in6). Acne, RAINN’s predecessor organization, was founded by Scott Berkowitz in May 1994 as a resource and support group for acne sufferers. In September 1994, Dr. Koss requested that Acne take over operating the ACVAW hotline as a pilot project until DOJ could find a new operator. Acne agreed to use the hotline and received technical assistance from DOJ during this transitional period.
In July 1995, DOJ closed the hotline due to funding issues and referred to RAINN as the new provider. Acne, which had a small staff and no office space, worked with RAINN to transfer hotline operations to RAINN. In August 1995, the National Sexual Assault Hotline number was operational under RAINN.
Name change:
RAINN announced its full name in June 2004 as The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, but is still often referred to by the acronym “RAINN” or just “rainn.org” when spelled out in full.
Expansion: With the help of funds secured by U.S. Senator Harry Reid, RAINN opened new offices in Washington, D.C., as well as in Denver, Colorado, and Los Angeles, California, in 2004. In 2005, RAINN expanded to a fourth office in New York City and a fifth in Chicago, Illinois. President Scott Berkowitz leads both new offices; RAINN has regional directors to supervise these offices and their associated staff members.