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Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, yet only 1 out of every 68 rapists end up in prison. These statistics, as well as several other crucial resources, are made available by RAINN (The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). America’s largest anti-sexual violence organization provides essential resources to those in need, including the sexual assault hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org), as well as the Department of Defense hotline. They provide extremely important education and resources for not only those that are victims of sexual violence, but for those around them, with articles on their website detailing warning signs, safety information for parents and students, statistics, and even a page on their site dedicated for finding the laws in each US state regarding sexual violence. 

This organization has served over 4.4 million Americans in just 29 years of operation, and has therefore earned my support as an artist. I feel passionate about this topic because of personal experiences related to sexual violence, which has provided me with a deep understanding of the impact abuse can have on someones mental health and livelihood.

Sexual violence has always been an issue in our society, but has become more prevalent in recent decades as more and more survivors have had the courage to speak out about their experiences. Thanks to organizations such as RAINN, we can properly gauge the prevalence of this issue among our populations through statistics. This helps not only spread awareness, but also keep people safe by providing education about vulnerable situations. For instance, about 8% of sexual assaults occur on school property. This is vital knowledge for students and parents, so they can remain vigilant and consider safety and prevention strategies. Beyond statistics, RAINN saves lives by offering resources directly to those in need. Their victim services program helps roughly 844 people each day, thanks to donations, volunteers, and dedicated employees. By raising money through T-shirt design, we will be helping to save and improve the lives of thousands, as even a small contribution becomes significant when directed towards an organization as dedicated as RAINN.