National Sexual Assault Hotline

At any given moment, more than 1,100 trained volunteers are on duty and available to help victims at RAINN-affiliated crisis centers across the country.

How does the National Sexual Assault Hotline work?

The concept behind the hotline is simple. When a caller dials 1.800.656.HOPE, a computer notes the area code and first three digits of the caller's phone number. The call is then instantaneously connected to the nearest RAINN member center. If all counselors at that center are busy, the call is sent to the next closest center. The caller's phone number is not retained, so the call is anonymous and confidential unless the caller chooses to share personally-identifying information.

Steve Kardian gives commentary on the Caylee Anthony case with CNN host Mike Galonis and attorney Mark Eiglarsh.   Casey Anthony, mother of Caylee, has been charged with Caylee's murder. Click below for more on this very sad case!

Taking a cruise on the high seas is a wonderful vacation but you still need to take precautions.  

The FBI reports that approximately 10 million Americans are expected to travel abroad this year on vessels that navigate international waters. As a matter of course, some of them will become victims of a crime. Sexual and physical assaults on cruise ships were the leading crimes reported to and investigated by the FBI on the high seas over the last five years, at 45 percent and 22 percent respectively.

Steve Kardian was nominated to the Victims Assistance Services (VAS) of Westchester County, NY to serve on the board of advisors. Throughout his Law Enforcement career he has worked closely with VAS to keep women safe, provide consoling and aid in the recovery of abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. A part of the VAS mission is to restore dignity, advocate for justice and help to heal.

Are college women too trusting? In 2004, Inside Edition enlisted the help of Steve Kardian to find out. He posed as a stranger needing assistance on the campus of a university in the New York area. With the school’s permission, the producers filmed Steve with a hidden camera as he approached female students in a campus parking lot and pretended he needed help. With no hesitation, all eight of the women he approached cleared off seats and invited Steve into their vehicles.

A woman of any age can become the victim of sexual assault, however statistics indicate that women between the ages of 16 and 20 years-old are four times more likely to be victimized. A woman entering her first year of college – specifically, between September and Thanksgiving break – is at the most vulnerable time in her life.

In this Spring Break version of his main program, Steve frames the issues of sexual assault prevention and safety within the framework of a typical college student’s trip to an unfamiliar vacation location, full of young people, parties, alcohol, and opportunities for sexual activity. Steve helps women better understand that a vacation from their daily routine should not be a vacation from smart choices that prevent assault and other harm. Perfect for February and March programs prior to break.  Even if many of your students won’t be traveling to a vacation location, the messages about assault risk reduction will be applicable.

James Kamau, the African National men’s and women’s kickboxing coach, traveled from Kenya to become certified in the Fight Like a Girl (FLAG) and the Girls on Guard (GOG) program. James returns to Kenya empowered with new knowledge that he plans on sharing with women, young and old, throughout his Country. Good luck James!

13 new Fight Like a Girl (FLAG) and Girls on Guard (GOG) instructors were recently certified. The instructors came from South Carolina to Maine. The African National men’s and women’s kickboxing coach traveled from Kenya to be certified. Good luck to all in spreading this very important message!