RAINN Over Houston

Established Apr 2008

Our Mission

Every 2 minutes, someone in the US is sexually assaulted.

1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

College age women are 4 times more likely to be sexually assaulted then anyone else.

In 2006, there were 272,350 victims, and yet it is estimated at as many as 60% of assaults are never reported.

Reporting has increased 33% since 1993 ... but that's over the course of 15 years!

Approximately 73% of rape victims know their attacker. Only 6% of rapists will ever spend a day in jail.

The purpose of the RAINN Over Houston benefit concert is ...

1. To let victims know that there are organizations in place to help them and that their victimization was not their fault.

2. To get the message out to the community that this is a serious issue, and that if we make ourselves aware and take precautionary measures we can potentially avoid becoming victims.

3. To raise funds for RAINN, which is the charity that operates the 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline. Victims can call in or IM from anywhere in the US and receive free and anonymous counseling and support.

A Letter From The Executive Director

I am contacting you today hoping that you will consider partnering with me to combat what the FBI reports as being the most violent crime trailing only murder.

Every 2 minutes another American is sexually assaulted. It is something that has invaded the lives of many of us. In fact, one in every 6 women and one in 33 men become a victim of sexual assault in his or her lifetime.

If we work together, we can fight this trend, and help save thousands of men and women each year from becoming a victim of this egregious crime.

In doing my part to eradicate sexual assault in America, I would like to propose hosting my RAINN Over Houston benefit concert at Jones Hall or The Wortham Center sometime during Spring 2009. I will be performing a concert, and Ernie Manouse of Houston PBS (www.houstonpbs.org), along with other local celebrities will be speaking and making appearances. Local businesses are donating their services in support - for example, Laughlin Photography (www.LaughlinPhoto.com) is donating a photo shoot for use in promotional materials and merchandise. In order to cover expenses (including venue rental) we need to raise at least $3,000 in sponsorships. I also need donations of gift cards and items to put in gift baskets for distribution during the event. I know that through the generosity and love of local businesses and individuals, this goal will not be difficult to reach. All proceeds from the RAINN Over Houston benefit concert will benefit the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, the largest anti-sexual assault organization in America.

Since 1994, RAINN has touched the lives of millions of Americans. Over one million Americans have received free, confidential support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1.800.656.HOPE) and the new National Sexual Assault Online Hotline (rainn.org) - the first secure web-based hotline, providing live, completely anonymous support through an interface as intuitive as instant messaging. Your support will help RAINN to provide services to victims of sexual assault; educate over 130 million Americans each year on sexual assault prevention, prosecution and recovery; work with the criminal justice system to ensure that rapists are brought to justice, and continue to expand their programs to accommodate the ever-growing needs of victims.

I cannot do this alone. Your generosity and compassion will allow RAINN to expand the reach of their support while continuing the critical programs and services that they already provide.

Please partner with myself and RAINN, and together we can make significant strides in the fight to end sexual assault.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Grassman

Want To Volunteer?

We need you! If you are interested in volunteering to help us collect media and sponsor contact information, mail out promotional packages, hand out fliers, and spread the word about Houston's one and only RAINN benefit concert, RAINN Over Houston, please contact us.

We will work with your schedule, and will provide you will all the materials you need to complete your volunteer commitment.