Scott Berkowitz, the President, Founder, and acting CEO of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), holds a significant position in an organization that claims to be leading the fight against sexual violence. However, it has come to light that under his leadership, RAINN has been perpetuating a toxic work environment characterized by racism, sexism, and ableism. Many employees of RAINN are survivors themselves and have reported that working at RAINN feels like being continuously victimized all over again. This is not only unacceptable but also contradictory to the principles upon which RAINN claims to have been founded on.

Furthermore, employees have noted that within RAINN’s context, Berkowitz has repeatedly prioritized profit  over survivors' needs and welfare. This is deeply concerning considering that, every year, hundreds of thousands of survivors turn to RAINN for help in their most vulnerable moments. For too long, instead of finding healing at RAINN, survivors have been experiencing further harm and retraumatization as a direct result of Scott’s poor leadership.

With over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men in the U.S. experiencing sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022), this is an issue that impacts ALL of us. All of us either know someone who has experienced sexual violence or have personally experienced it ourselves. Survivors deserve an organization led by individuals who prioritize their needs above all else.

Berkowitz has been given ample opportunity and time to correct his problematic behavior over the course of his 30 years running the organization. Repeatedly, employees, survivors, and supporters have been dismissed, belittled, and ignored when asking for change. In 2022, more than 20 employees blew the whistle and publicly spoke to Business Insider about the corporate dysfunction poisoning the mission. Since the article’s release, the entire executive leadership team has been replaced except for Berkowitz. Employees continue to report that the same problems have not only continued to persist, but actually worsened.

We demand immediate action — we call for Scott Berkowitz's resignation from his position as President and acting CEO at RAINN. It's time for leadership that truly represents the values this organization stands for and puts survivors first.

Please sign this petition if you agree that it is time for a change in RAINN's leadership.

Also follow our Instagram @rainnsurvivors to hear more stories of survivors and employees who have been negatively impacted by RAINN and steps to keep the organization accountable.