RAINNmaking: Fundraising for RAINN

RAINN offers free, confidental support twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Their phone number is 1-800-656-HOPE and their online hotline can be reached at www.rainn.org.

Sam and I are becoming RAINNmakers. We are wanting to raise money for the Rape, Abuse, and Incest, National Network as part of our Humanties' project. we are writing, directing, and producing a performance piece for the spring of 2009 that addresses the issues of sexual violence on a local, national, and global level as the main focus of our Humanities’ project.

As part of our efforts to raise awareness of these crimes and their direct impact on the everyday lives of women, children and men everywhere we are hoping to raise money for RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization.

We believe that getting help is the single most critical step a victim of sexual violence can take on the path to becoming a survivor. It is vital that victims have access to free and anonymous support services whenever needed. RAINN provides a safe outlet where victims and their friends and family can go to receive free, live and anonymous support around the clock.

If you would like to make a contribution please visit our Rainnmaker page at http://rainnmakers.rainn.org/JessiehSam , where you will find very simple instructions on how to donate and assist in our efforts to aid those impacted by sexual violence.

This organization means a great deal to us and we hope that you will support our efforts to enable RAINN to help more victims. We also have plans to fundraise on local and global levels by working with community Rape Crisis centers and V-Day: A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls. We hope you will contribute your financial support and we hope to see you in the spring of 2009. We thank you for your enthusiasm, encouragement and efforts.

In thanks, Jessieh Johnson-Cunningham and Sam Orr

A message from SAFER (Students Active for Ending Rape):

Attached you will find a press release from Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER) about our new sexual assault policies database. (http://www.safercampus.org/policies.php) The database archives sexual assault policies from colleges and universities across the nation. We hope that providing examples of effective policies will assist student activists in reforming their own school’s sexual assault policy. The database also allows students to comment on whether or not their school actually implements the policies as they have been written.

We’re reaching out to student activists this week, asking them to comment on the policy at their school if it is in the database already, or submit their school’s policy for inclusion if it is not.

Thanks, SAFER

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I am hoping to help SAFER reach students by publicizing the database here. (http://www.safercampus.org/policies.php)

The policy database can only be useful if students know their resources exist. Please share this great resource with your friends, coworkers, and fellow students.

love, jessieh

April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month

Three videos promoting awareness. Please be warned, these videos (especially the third) may prove triggering. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

For more information please visit the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) at http://www.rainn.org/. If you are a survivor of sexual violence and are seeking assistance contact RAINN's 24 hour, free, confidential Sexual Assault hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE.







love, jessieh

PS: More awareness oriented blogging to come.

Before 2AM. No memory.

and we almost ran that red light back there. She tapped her fingers to the music and without pause, slammed her hand, flat, into the power button of the radio, 'ya know," she laughed, "The doctor made a great point, this isn't going to be hard, well not as hard as we think.' I laugh, and know at the same time that it is not funny. "Oh, really?" I ask.

"We have so much rage. Rage is energy.Can you imagine what I could do with this rage? With this rage I could build buildings by myself, I could stay up for months. With this rage, I could burn a whole country."

love, jessieh

{PS: After she saw it she said, "I like the doggy." and I laughed, still not funny.}

Where art thou Hillary? President Bush Mess

READER'S NOTE: I AM NOT A BUSH-HATER. I HAVE RESPECT FOR HIM AS THE LEADER OF OUR COUNTRY. THAT IS THE CREDIT I GIVE TO HIM, AND IT IS THE BASIS OF MY AMOUNT OF RESPECT.

THE BAD:

When President Bush announced his budget plan for 2008, I was more than frustrated and relieved to know that he is leaving the White House:

"President Bush’s FY 2008 Budget also proposes cutting $12.2 million (or nine percent) in funding for the Office of Violence Against Women (VAW). VAW provides national leadership on issues relating to domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking by providing grants to help victims with the protection and services they need. The budget request would eliminate all VAW formula grant programs, including the STOP grant program and the sexual assault hotline grant program. Further, because the request shifts all funding to discretionary spending, grant programs that protect children and people with disabilities could be eliminated. "- The Senate, 2007

THE GOOD:

"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." -RAINN, 2006

"President George W. Bush said in a press conference yesterday that he supports abortion in three cases - rape, incest, and the life of the mother." - Washington Daily News, 2006

"Dear Attorney General Gonzales:
On behalf of RAINN, which is the nation's largest anti-sexual assault organization, I want to commend you for the important role you played in the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2005, which President Bush signed into law in January...." -RAINN, 2005

"Today, I have signed into Law S. 1435, the "Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003." The Act provides for analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State and local institutions, and for information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape. The Act also creates a National Prison Rape Reduction Commission. " - George W. Bush, 2003

THE FRUSTRATION AND CONFUSION:

President Bush wants to 'eliminate' prison rape, sign the Violence Against Women Act into law, approve abortion in cases of rape or incest, enhance penalties for child sexual abuse and tighten the registration requirements for sex offenders BUT

President Bush also wants to eliminate the funding for violence against women awareness programs and victim's advocate groups. He may as well be saying, "Well, I am against rape. I do not want people to be raped, but if they are-tough luck-I'm not going to support the agencies that help them..."

Yeah. Because- that makes perfect sense and everything...

love, jessieh

-Hillary Clinton 2008-

After Rape

love, jessieh

PS: Anne Frank would have turned 78 today. It seems as though she would have been much older, it's funny how it always seems that way.

and yes I do know

there is alot to look at.