Policy News

June 19, 2008 - (Washington, DC) - Evelyn Fortier, RAINN's Vice President of Public Policy, testified today before a U.S. Senate panel at a hearing about crime on cruise ships. Fortier noted that sexual assault was the leading crime reported to and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the high seas over the last five years, and provided recommendations to Congress and the cruise industry...

The Debbie Smith Act is the most important piece of anti-rape legislation that Congress has ever passed, and its re authorization is a victory for thousands of sexual assault victims whose perpetrators have yet to be identified.

Massachusetts state representative James Fagan generated public outrage with his recent comments. Fagan vowed to mercilessly cross examine child rape victims if the state legislature were to pass rigid mandatory sentences for child rape.

June 26, 2008 – (Washington, DC) – Today Congress took an important step in ensuring the safety of Americans aboard cruise ships with the introduction of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2008 in the U.S. Senate by Senator John Kerry (D-MA), and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA).

April 10, 2008 – (Washington, DC) – RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, issued the following statement today regarding the hearing on the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs: “The Debbie Smith Act is the most important anti-rape legislation that Congress has ever passed, and it will soon expire if Congress does not act.

April 9, 2008 – (Washington, DC) – RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization, issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Democracy and Human Rights hearing, chaired by Senator Bill Nelson, “Closing Legal Loopholes: Justice for Americans Sexually Assaulted in Iraq and Afghanistan”:

January 2006 —With RAINN's support, Congress recently passed, and President Bush signed, a new federal law that represents a huge step forward for sexual assault victims. RAINN played an active role in pushing for enactment of the 2005 Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP). Until SASP's enactment in December 2005, there was no federal funding stream solely dedicated to the victim services

August 7, 2007 — We are pleased to report that committees in both chambers of the U.S. Congress have recommended increased funding for three critical programs in the coming fiscal year: the Sexual Assault Services Program, or “SASP,” the DNA Backlog Reduction Program, and the Rape Prevention and Education Program. RAINN, joined by several allied organizations, played a key role in efforts to build congressional support for funding these programs.

April 2007 — RAINN recently partnered with a new national spokesperson, actress Christina Ricci, for a successful day of meetings with members of Congress to urge full funding for programs that serve sexual assault victims and help prevent sexual violence.During her visit to the nation's capital, Ricci and RAINN met with top lawmakers, including Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)

August 2006 — RAINN this month urged the U.S. Attorney General to support $50 million in funding for the new Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP), which is being considered for inclusion in the administration's fiscal year 2008 budget. By making a federal funding stream available for direct services to sexual assault victims, SASP would give rape crisis centers and their partners, the state coalitions against sexual assault, better tools to help sexual assault victims.

July 2006 — In 2006, RAINN helped pass legislation that enhances penalties for child sexual abuse and tightens the registration requirements for sex offenders. The final version of this legislation, now known as the Adam Walsh Child Safety and Protection Act (H.R. 4472), passed both houses of Congress. President George W. Bush signed it into law in July 2006.

July 2006 — On July 20, 2006, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined his colleague, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), in introducing a resolution expressing support for the National Sexual Assault Hotline. S. Res. 537 commends those who staff the Hotline for helping one million callers over the last 12 years. Former Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), who served as Senate Majority Leader during the 109th Congress