RAINN Names Emmy Rossum Ambassador As National Hotline Calls Jump 73%
The actress joins the nonprofit's effort to reframe public understanding of trauma, citing a surge in awareness following recent campus incidents.
By Anthony Lawson ·
Emmy Rossum has been named an ambassador for RAINN, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the United States. The announcement follows a new partnership between the actress and the nonprofit. The collaboration focuses on using storytelling to shape public perception of sexual violence. It aims to reduce stigma and connect survivors with resources.
The partnership stems from Rossum's role in the Hulu series Furious. She plays Alice Black, an FBI agent and survivor of abuse. Production relied on a group of consultants, including forensic psychologists and trauma therapists. RAINN also provided script consultation during the show's early development.
Rossum noted that working with experts on the set changed her perspective. She stated that there is no perfect way to be a survivor. She hopes to turn public awareness into action through this new role. The goal is to help survivors find pathways to support and healing.
RAINN reports that calls to its National Sexual Assault Hotline rose by 73 percent in recent weeks. Megan Cutter, the organization's chief of victim services, said the country is currently having a necessary conversation. She noted that many people lack an understanding of how survivors actually respond to trauma. Cutter said the partnership helps carry this conversation forward with integrity.
Scott Berkowitz, RAINN's founder and president, emphasized the urgency of the work. He pointed to recent high-profile cases at Cornell University and the University of Chicago. He argued that these events are not outliers but reflections of daily reality. Berkowitz said the details of specific cases are less important than the fact that people are finally paying attention.
Jeanell English, head of community and impact at WME, praised Rossum's commitment. She said the partnership allows clients to turn their values into real impact. English stated that storytelling has the power to change perspectives. She described the alliance as a way to challenge stigma and support survivors.
The announcement comes one day before a scheduled event in Los Angeles. Rossum will attend Raising the Prevention Generation, an invite-only brunch and sitdown. The event is co-hosted by WME and RAINN. Other participants include Jennifer Simmons Kaleba, RAINN's vice president of communications, and Skye Choe, a student mental health therapist.
The discussion will focus on how adults can talk about consent and boundaries in a digital world. It will also cover how to turn current conversations into meaningful action. This event marks the first public step in the newly formed alliance. The connection between Rossum and RAINN was originally made during WME's Women's Health Summit in October.
Rossum believes that placing stories on screen removes shame. She argued that characters can reach audiences emotionally in ways that public service announcements cannot. She said this method helps people feel less alone in their experiences. This approach is central to her upcoming work with the organization.
Rossum noted that the #MeToo movement was a watershed moment but requires sustained action. She said sunlight remains the best disinfectant for issues like the recent events at Cornell. She called for leaders to be held accountable when they threaten the safety of women. The partnership seeks to keep these stories in the public eye long after the news cycle moves on.
