For survivors of sexual violence and assault, sharing one’s story can be a daunting and terrifying endeavor. But it can also lead to healing — and, in many cases, it can help other victims feel less alone.
Highlighting stories of survival is a big part of how RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) assists those affected by sexual violence. The RAINN Speakers Bureau consists of nearly 4,000 survivors — from all over the country and from a diverse range of backgrounds — who volunteer to share their experiences with sexual assault.
The impact of their openness cannot be overstated. Even the National Sexual Assault Hotline, 800-656-4673, has an inspiring message. “The last four digits of the telephone hotline spell H-O-P-E,” says RAINN President Scott Berkowitz. “We’re trying to give survivors hope and the understanding that as terrible as things are feeling, they can get through this. Our website features profiles of many other survivors who they might identify with, and who talk about the path that they took. We never sugarcoat it. We never pretend it’s not horrible, but we always want to accompany that with help and hope and a chance to work on healing,” Berkowitz adds.
The Value of Speaking Out
Berkowitz knows how powerful survivor stories can be. When he started RAINN in 1994, he was met with resistance by those in the field. “There were a ton of barriers in the beginning,” he says of setting up the National Sexual Assault Hotline. “There was understandable skepticism about whether we could really pull it off.” Berkowitz — whose background is in politics and publishing — says he had no intention of running RAINN for very long. “I was young and inexperienced, and it seemed like a good idea and a challenge to get an organization going. I figured I’d sit on the board for a year and that would be it.”
Then he met survivor after survivor and heard their tales — and that’s when everything changed. “There was one really memorable moment soon after we launched,” he recalls. “I was checking into a hotel and RAINN was on my reservation and the desk clerk said, ‘You helped me.’”
Berkowitz says it was the first time he realized just how valuable RAINN could be. “It felt real, and that this was something that could do a lot of good for a lot of people. That was a moment that really helped build my personal commitment. It made me want to dive in and learn about the extent of the problem and figure out how to do something about it.”
He hasn’t looked back. “In our victim service work, we just helped the four-millionth person since our victim service programs started,” he recently revealed.
Brave New World
For ages, the stigma surrounding victims of sexual violence and sexual assault served as a significant deterrent for reporting crimes. But Berkowitz feels there’s been a societal shift — and while judgment still exists, younger people appear to be more likely to come forward with their personal stories. “I think there’s a much greater willingness for those who are currently in high school and college — such a greater comfort level with sharing things,” he says. “There’s less shame there and less self-blame, though we still have a long way to go.” He credits social media in part. “Social media has allowed folks to share their story on their terms with only the details they want and the audience that they choose,” RAINN President Berkowitz explains. “One of the challenges of this is the vast majority of sexual assaults are not reported. So I think that it’s encouraging that more survivors are willing to speak out, and I’m hopeful that over time, it will also lead to a greater reporting rate — and a justice system committed to ensuring that survivors achieve justice.”
