Your help is needed!  Join the U.S. national call to action to support sexual assault survivors and sexual assault programs impacted by the recent tsunami in the Pacific Territories.  President Obama has declared the U.S. territory of American Samoa a major disaster after an undersea earthquake caused a tsunami and massive flooding that has reportedly killed over 100 people in the South Pacific Samoan Islands and the islands of Tonga. Please help us help them in their efforts to survive this disaster.

The Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims (Relief Fund) was established in 2005 by U.S. national anti-sexual violence organizations (National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, The National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault, National Sexual Assault Coalition Resource Sharing Project, National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) in order to address the needs of sexual assault survivors during and after disasters.

The Relief Fund is designed to:

1. Support the needs of sexual assault survivors
2. Support the needs of sexual assault advocacy program staff
3. Assist with expanded direct service capacity needs
4. Assist with prevention initiatives to protect those dealing with disasters from sexual violence
5. Support relocation/rebuilding efforts for disaster-damaged sexual assault advocacy programs

Here is how you can help:

Donate now!
Join the effort to bring support and services to victims of sexual assault through a donation to the Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims. There are three ways to donate (credit card, pay pal or check).

Donate online or mail to:
Relief Fund for Sexual Assault Victims
c/o National Sexual Violence Resource Center
123 N. Enola Drive
Enola, PA 17025

100% of donations will go to victims/programs in affected areas. Administrative costs are being donated by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.  Funds will be allocated to state/territory or tribal sexual assault coalitions in the affected areas for dispersing the resources as needed within their respective regions.   For questions about the application process, please contact the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) at resources@nsvrc.org.  

Additionally, the NSVRC is collected donations for basic essential care packages that will be provided to those in need in American Samoa.  Toiletry items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, and feminine pads can be sent to the address listed above.

Spread the Word!
Please help us in building the fund by circulating this announcement.  Additionally, a Relief Fund Flyer describing the fund is available online in pdf format to assist with getting the word out.

Help to prevent sexual violence in disasters!
Inform your community about the risk of sexual violence in times of disaster.  The National Sexual Violence Resource Center in partnership with the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault has developed a book entitled “Sexual Violence in Disasters: A planning guide for prevention and response” available in English and Spanish.  Submit requests for print copies to resources@nsvrc.org.   Additionally, the NSVRC has created an online collection of disaster preparedness resources to assist communities in their educational and planning efforts.