Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) commended Actress KaDee Strickland of the TV show Private Practice and members of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) for their advocacy on behalf of victims of sexual assault.
 
Actress KaDee Strickland was inspired to advocate for victims of sexual assaults after a Private Practice episode in which her character, Dr. Charlotte King, was violently raped.  In preparing for the part, Strickland worked closely with RAINN experts and survivors in the RAINN Speakers Bureau to give viewers the most true-to-life portrayal possible.  The show and RAINN also joined forces in producing a public service announcement about sexual violence, which is credited for steering record numbers of survivors to the National Sexual Assault Hotlines.

During their advocacy day on Capitol Hill, Strickland and the RAINN representatives appealed to Members of Congress to support federal efforts to reduce the backlog of untested rape kits nationwide and bring greater transparency to the testing process by creating a national registry.  The DNA evidence obtained from the rape kits can be instrumental in court proceedings in bringing the perpetrators to justice. 

The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotlines (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country. The hotlines have helped more than 1.5 million people since 1994. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

Throughout her career, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard has fought to increase protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence and to ensure that abusers are held accountable. 

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard is the author of The Security and Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Act.  The legislation helps to give victims of domestic violence the financial security and independence they need to leave their abusers.  Under the SAFE Act, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking who are forced to leave a job because of the abuse would be eligible for unemployment benefits.  They would also be able to take unpaid leave from work without the fear of being fired to address immediate needs such as obtaining legal assistance, medical care or to find a safe place to live.  The bill would also prohibit insurance providers from discriminating against victims of domestic and sexual violence. 

Picture left to right: Actress KaDee Strickland; Scott Berkowitz, Founder and President of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN); Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34); Katherine Hull, RAINN VP of Communications; and Rachel Gandell, RAINN Public Policy Manager.

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