TO: Dr.

Wickliff
FROM: Rachel West
DATE: November 3, 2015
SUBJECT: Pre-Proposal
The main organization that I am considering is RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National
Network), which promotes awareness and victim assistance with sexual violence. On their
website, RAINN defines six types of sexual violence1:
Sexual assault: sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent
of the victim
Sexual assault of men and boys: men and boys who have been sexually
assaulted or abused may face additional challenges because of social attitudes
and stereotypes about men and masculinity
Sexual harassment: includes verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that
affects an individuals work or school performance
Child sexual abuse: A form of child abuse that includes sexual activity with a
minor. A child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity, period.
Incest: sexual abuse by a family member
Intimate partner sexual violence: when a perpetrator[is] an intimate partner
An agency of particular interest that is a local partner of RAINN and assists local sexual
assault victims is the Charlotte Children and Family Services Center2. The personnel on the
Centers Leadership Team is listed on the website3. Savannah Smith, the Director of Donor and
Corporate Relations3, is of particular interest as the main contact for the Center in the context
of writing a proposal.
Sexual assault is a prominent problem. On RAINNs website, it states that according to
the U.S. Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)--there is an
average of 293,066 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year.4 It is
estimated that a person in America is sexually assaulted every 107 seconds4. With so many
victims, there is a definite need for funding that will help victims who need help with the bills
associated with aftercare. This funding is most significant for organizations like RAINN and its
partners who work directly with victims and their families to help them cope with this tragedy
and make sure that they are able to deal with its financial effects. The physical, emotional, and
financial assistance that these organizations provide helps thousands of victims each year to
cope after being sexually assaulted.
While sexual assault can happen in a matter of moments, its effects last a lifetime for
victims. The physical effects can include sexual transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs), substance use that can lead to addition, eating or sleep disorders,
pregnancy, and ultimately suicide5. The mental effects are no less ominous: victims of sexual
assault can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), become clinically depressed,

experience flashbacks of the assault, feel dissociated, or turn to self-harm (such as cutting,
burning, etc.) to try and ease the pain5.
With all the effects that victims of sexual assault have to experience as a result of the
trauma, the financial stress of hospital bills, medical bills, or counseling bills should not be
another source of hopelessness for victims. Organizations like RAINN and partnering agencies
provide financial assistance to sexual assault victims. By providing programs and medical,
psychological, physical, and financial assistance to sexual assault victims and their families,
these organizations are helping the victims cope and helping them deal with the effects that
come from the traumatic experience.
In compiling the proposal, the problem of sexual assault can be best presented in the
following ways. Concerning the statistics of sexual assault, graphics will work very well. But a
narrative or a video will highlight the devastating personal effects of sexual assault and how
organizations like RAINN are making great strides in helping victims cope.
Helping survivors of sexual assault is a great way to advocate social values. This funding
will ultimately benefit those who have faced one of the most violating and devastating
experiences a person can. By increasing the funding the organizations have to help survivors
and their families, more lives will be bettered as a direct result. If the funding is granted, proper
use of publicity can spread awareness of sexual assault and the need to help these brave
survivors and their families. In the long run, both the organization and the sexual assault
survivors will benefit from this funding. As these survivors gradually heal and learn to cope with
the effects following the attack, they contribute to society by contributing in their niches,
spreading a great image of surviving and healing from the attack, and may even go on to help
other victims. As the organization continues helping survivors, more and more survivors will
continue this healing process and hopefully become advocates for public awareness and the
importance of helping victims become survivors.

Footnotes
1. Types of Sexual Violence. <https://rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/>.
2. Charlotte Children and Family Services Center. <http://www.safealliance.org/charlotte/>.
3. Staff. <http://www.safealliance.org/about-us/leadership-team/>.
4. How often does sexual assault occur? <https://rainn.org/getinformation/statistics/frequency-of-sexual-assault/>.
5. Effects of Sexual Assault. <https://rainn.org/get-information/effects-of-sexual-assault/>.