KnowNow's RSS Solution Used in Rape Abuse Incest National Network

Client KnowNow RSS Service Connects Victims to the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN).

RAINN is integrating KnowNow eLerts for communication & notification and will be used in their newly announced secure online hotline. (National Sexual Assault Online Hotline).

Using KnowNow eLerts RSS solution, RAINN will be able to connect a victim with an available trained volunteer as soon as they need one. To ensure protection of each individual who has a query or a need to talk to a counselor immediately, the request is connected to one of RAINN’s trained volunteers quickly, securely and anonymously.

RAINN will launch the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline in the fall, which will be the web's first secure hotline service, offering live help 24 hours a day.

Given that calls to the national telephone hotline continue to increase (the free hotline helped up to 137,039 people in 2005, up 44% in the last three years), research and observation are finding an increased reluctance among young people to use the phone.

Since 80% of rape victims fall under age 30, adding an online way to communicate is a critical component to making the program a success.

The user's screen will be as clear and intuitive as instant messaging, so there's no learning curve. Sessions cannot be traced back to a user. No record of the session or user remains after a chat reinforcing privacy and confidentiality, so victims know that when they reach out, it remains anonymous.

The pilot launch of the Online Hotline will begin in May, with a national launch expected in September.