RAINN is expanding its trauma-informed support services for sexual violence survivors.
The US-based non-profit is doing so with AWS, adding WhatsApp to its service operations and opening up a new access point to everyone looking for support.
In doing so, RAINN is leveraging the Amazon Web Services’ End User Messaging Social solution.
The offering enables developers to integrate messaging capabilities into their applications, enabling two-way conversation alongside time-sensitive alerts and one-time passwords.
However, RAINN will focus on that critical two-way communication piece, as it engages with survivors of all ages in English and Spanish.
In doing so, the organization can deliver critical interventions quickly and securely.
"Survivors, especially young survivors, are using social messaging apps more than ever before to access support," added Scott Berkowitz, President and Founder of RAINN.
AWS enables RAINN support specialists to connect with survivors where they are already communicating and maybe most comfortable seeking support.
Expanding RAINN's support services is the latest step in the organizations' collaboration.
In December, RAINN won a grant from AWS Imagine to explore how it could create these on-demand hotlines, utilize generative AI safely, and enable new support mechanisms.
Additionally, the organization embedded its National Sexual Assault Hotline into social media, networking, and gaming websites – expediting its trauma-informed support services.
By doing so, RAINN hoped to deliver more crucial interventions where people already communicate. With its new WhatsApp channel, it’s doubling down on that strategy.
"With demand for RAINN’s victim service programs growing, we knew we needed to quickly scale existing applications if we were going to meet people where they are," noted Bill Bondurant, Chief Technology Officer for RAINN.