Awareness to Action: #SAAPM

Hello and happy April! As many of you know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month, or SAAPM. Laurie is not only a huge fan of RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network), but a member of their National Leadership Council. They’ve got a full month’s worth of plans to promote awareness and help people find ways to take action. Laurie will be participating, and we hope you’ll join her! You can check out RAINN’s full plans right here, and follow along on social media with the hashtag #SAAPM.

The statistics are sobering, and so many people don’t know them. Here are a few handy graphics that remind us all what we’re working to prevent.

SHOUT Preorder News (Plus Swag)

As you know, Laurie is hitting the road for the publication of SHOUT, and many of those events include a book as part of the ticket. We’ve got good news for those who can’t make an event but still want a signed copy — Children’s Book World will be handling signed preorders!

If you preorder through them, you’ll get a signed copy of SHOUT plus a limited edition tote bag. In addition, for every preorder of SHOUT by Laurie Halse Anderson received before 3/11, Penguin Young Readers will donate $1 to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization (up to $5,000). So you can get a signed book, get some swag, and do some good all in one. Full details are right here.

Laurie Joins RAINN’s National Leadership Council!

Laurie’s been working with RAINN for years, and she’s delighted to announce that she is now a member of their National Leadership Council!

Members of the NLC will work with RAINN leadership to identify an agenda of programs, policies, and initiatives that help survivors, inform and educate the nation about sexual violence, and bring perpetrators to justice. Members include:

Tori Amos – singer/songwriter and survivor
Laurie Halse Anderson – survivor and author of Speak
Marika Anthony-Shaw – founder and CEO, PLUS1
Ashna Chopra – supporter
Peter Church – chief talent officer, UnitedHealthcare
Torrey DeVitto – actor, activist, and philanthropist
Michael and Catherine Devlin – supporters
Cameron Esposito – comedian, survivor, and activist
Allen Hicks – partner, Hogan Lovells
Kelly Johnson – philanthropist
Ashley Judd – actor and humanitarian
Kesha – singer, activist, and survivor
John Marciano – supporter
Marci M. Matthews – survivor, advocate, and philanthropist
Paul McComas – author of Unplugged
Katherine Miller – RAINN board member
Christina Ricci – actor
Alice Sebold – author of Lucky
JP Sheehan – supporter and volunteer
Jennifer Sincero – author of You are a Badass
Mira Sorvino – actor, activist, and survivor
Breanna Stewart – professional basketball player, Seattle Storm

Keep an eye on RAINN in the coming months as they continue their amazing work supporting survivors and ending sexual violence.