I have added 22 photos of Christina from the RAINN fundraiser that was held in Washington, D.C earlier this month into our photo gallery. You can view them by clicking on the thumbnails below!

Long after finding fame at age 11 as Wednesday Addams in the film version of “The Addams Family,” Christina Ricci has found her voice in public policy. After playing a victim of sexual abuse in “Black Snake Moan,” Ricci, 29, was asked to become the spokeswoman for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). Last week she zigzagged around Capitol Hill to ask lawmakers for their support for legislation relating to rape and sexual abuse.

How did you first hear about RAINN?
When I was 15, I was reading about Tori Amos in Rolling Stone magazine, and she talked about how she, along with Scott [Berkowitz, RAINN’s president], had co-founded RAINN. And after that, they’ll ask us as actresses, “If you come to this fashion show, we’ll donate $10,000 to your favorite charity.” And I always picked RAINN. And I always had an interest in rape crisis intervention and what happens to women when rape is untreated, and rape-trauma syndrome. And then I did a movie that was all about rape trauma syndrome, and after that movie, RAINN invited me to become even more active and to become their spokesperson.

Have you ever been to Capitol Hill before?
I’ve been to the Hill once before, so this is my second time. It’s intimidating as all hell, every time I come, but then it always turns out to be a great thing. I feel so fortunate to be … one of the few Americans that actually can go and meet with people and say, “This is what I care about — please help us.”

Are you nervous about meeting members of Congress?
It’s just intimidating. I mean, I barely graduated high school, and I’m an actress, so we’re not by nature that intelligent. But when there are things that really matter to you, it’s great to know that you can actually take part in making a difference. I can’t volunteer and be an advocate because I’m not anonymous, so this is how I can help in this situation.

Who would you most like to meet while you’re in Washington?
Oh, my God, if I met Biden, I would lose my mind. He wrote the Violence Against Women Act, and I love him. I think he’s great. And of course, no doubt, I want to meet Obama. But that’s not really going to happen.

Who are some of your political heroes?
I actually love James Carville, but I know he might not be considered by some to be a political hero. His work over the years, I really love and respect him. And I love [Rep.] Ted Poe (R-Texas) for all of the work he’s done for our cause and for children’s rights and no parole for sex offenders. I just love him. And Biden; Biden’s a huge hero of mine. I was so excited when he got picked [as vice president]. I was just overjoyed.

Do you affiliate yourself with a political party?
For now, while I’m doing this kind of work, I prefer to publicly be bipartisan, just because I feel like this is a bipartisan issue. And I don’t feel like the figurehead of it should be at all partisan.

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Actress Christina Ricci is speaking out to shine a light on sexual violence.

The Addams Family star has joined forces with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) and was scheduled to meet with members of Congress yesterday.

She also penned an article in the Huffington Post which talks about the deep impact victims of sexual violence have had on her.

“They tell me of the struggles they face every day dealing with feelings, fear and shame, being alone, and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome in healing from the physical, emotional and psychological injuries.”

The numbers according to RAINN and Ricci’s blog post are shocking:

One in six women and one in 33 men will become victims of sexual violence, she wrote.

According to the RAINN website, there were 248,300 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault in 2007, which calculates to 1 sexual assault every 2 minutes.

And the effects can leave life-long scars.

Ricci cited a World Health Organization Report when she wrote, “Victims of sexual violence are more likely to suffer from grave mental health issues than non-victims; the report says the victims are:

- 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.
- 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.
- 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.
- 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.”

And according to her post, the coalition to support sexual assault victims is financially stressed. “Rape crisis centers nationwide are financially struggling to meet the growing number of people who need support,” Ricci wrote.

Ricci joined the RAINN group as the national spokesperson on April 25, 2007.

The actress has starred in popular films such as Mermaids; The Addams Family; The Opposite of Sex, a role that earned her a Golden Globe nomination; Sleepy Hollow; Monster; Black Snake Moan; Penelope; and Speed Racer. She also received an Emmy nomination for her role on “Grey’s Anatomy.”

From CBS News

She played the eccentric Wednesday Addams in the film version of “The Addams Family,” so it was fitting that G2 caught up with actress Christina Ricci on Wednesday evening while she was in town as a spokesperson for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), which says it is the nation’s largest anti-sexual-assault organization.

The tiny 29-year-old, who has been the public face for RAINN since 2007, was dressed in a short black minidress and stiletto heels, her pin-straight raven mane slung over her shoulders.

Not exactly the look of a conventional lobbyist, but Miss Ricci said she made the rounds on Capitol Hill to advocate for more funding for rape hot-line centers, where Miss Ricci has volunteered her time and encourages others to do the same.

“It only takes a few hours a month, and you can [take calls from victims] from your couch,” she said.

The “Monster” actress also said, “I am not an active Democrat. I met with Republicans and Democrats. [Supporting rape victims] is a bipartisan issue.”

When G2 showed Miss Ricci The Washington Times’ front-page story on the rape epidemic in the Congo, Miss Ricci expressed her outrage.

“Rape as a means of warfare has been going on for centuries, and I don’t know what we can do to stop it,” she said.

As for sexual assaults in the United States, she says part of her agenda is to institute stricter sentences for sex offenders. When asked what she had in mind, she said, “I don’t know, but people need to understand that rapists are career rapists.”

Among her upcoming professional projects is the film “After.Life” with Liam Neeson, whose wife, actress Natasha Richardson, died in March after a skiing accident.

Miss Ricci, who called Mr. Neeson “a lovely man,” said she plays a woman caught between life and death after a car accident. Mr. Neeson portrays a funeral director in the horror flick, which was shot before Miss Richardson’s sudden death. Miss Ricci said Mr. Neeson “won’t be doing press” when the movie makes its debut.

From the Washington Times

Actress Christina Ricci spoke with us today on ABCNews.com’s “Top Line” about her work as national spokesman for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

She’s urging members of Congress to support increased funding for the national sexual assault hotline, which provides counseling to victims of rape and sexual abuse through a network of local affiliates. Many of those state and local partners have seen their funding cut in recent months.

Such services are particularly important to those who don’t have health insurance, Ricci said.

“That’s the thing: This has a lot to do with health care because, you know, people without health care can go to . . . these publicly funded services, these social services, and get the help that they need, the medical help that they need,” she said.

“And if you cut all the funding to them you’re adding just even more stress to the whole health care [system]. I mean, this is really a health care issue. . . . People who are raped tend to are twice as likely to suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, suicide.”

Ricci said she got more involved in the cause as an offshoot of her work on the 2006 film “Black Snake Moan,” where she plays the victim of severe sexual and physical abuse.

“I actually did know quite a bit about it, so when I read that screen play I recognized what the character was suffering from,” she said. “And rape trauma syndrome to so many people is so confusing because they don’t really understand the psychology that goes behind what happens to somebody once they’ve been raped and left to deal with this violent crime the rest of their life, without treatment.”

Click HERE to see the video interview with Christina Ricci.

From ABC News

Actress Christina Ricci met with lawmakers today on behalf of RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) to stress the importance of such sexual assault services as the National Sexual Assault Hotline.

We had a chance to sit down with Ricci during her visit and talked about not only her work with RAINN (she’s a spokeswoman for them), but also her favorite politician and what it’s like to sit down and talk shop with lawmakers.

From Politico

With the health care debate raging in Washington, I wanted to ensure that one top health-related issue is not lost. I will be in Washington, D.C. today to meet with members of Congress and discuss the importance of dedicating funds and attention to victims of sexual violence.

Through my involvement with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), I have had the opportunity to work with many survivors of sexual violence. They tell me of the struggles they face every day dealing with feelings, fear and shame, being alone, and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome in healing from the physical, emotional and psychological injuries.

Odds are, one of your family members, friends, or colleagues has endured the physical and psychological scars of this crime. The statistics are alarming: one in six women and one in 33 men will become a victim of sexual assault in their lifetime. According to the Justice Department, there are over 20 million survivors of sexual violence in the U.S today.

While the actual attack may only last moments, the effects of this life-shattering crime can last a lifetime, making the need for sexual assault services, like the National Sexual Assault Hotline, all the more important.

Victims of sexual violence are more likely to suffer from grave mental health issues than non-victims; in fact they are:

- 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.

- 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

- 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

- 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.

- 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.

These serious effects have the potential to rob survivors of their ability to live a full life in the aftermath of the attack or sexual abuse. Fortunately, there is good news — recovery is possible. With proper access to care, treatment, and counseling, a survivor of this crime can go on to lead a happy, healthy and productive life.

In my work with RAINN, we strive to get the word out to survivors that they don’t need to go it alone, that help is available, both moments after an assault and years later. RAINN, through the National Sexual Assault Hotlines and the 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country that we partner with, works around the clock to provide free, confidential, support services, so that there is always someone available to guide a survivor toward recovery.

While significant progress has been made in the past decade, we must do more to improve access to sexual assault support services. RAINN and rape crisis centers nationwide are financially struggling to meet the growing number of people who need support. In the past year alone, demand for the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline has more than doubled.
We need your help, here’s how:

Volunteer:

Consider volunteering at your local rape crisis center. Your local center has opportunities available to directly assist survivors through the telephone hotline, or even accompanying victims to the hospital. To find volunteer opportunities in your community, visit here.

Donate:

Small donations of as little as $20 can make a huge difference in the lives of victims. By donating to RAINN, you can ensure that the National Sexual Assault Hotline can continue to provide free, support, 24/7 to those who need it most. You can go here to donate.

Advocate:

Call your member of Congress today and let them know that sexual assault program services such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline are important to you. Urge your member to support full funding for ending the backlog of untested DNA evidence from rapes that have already occurred.

For more information about how you can help raise awareness about sexual assault, or to volunteer and provide support to someone who really needs your help, please visit rainn.org. Together, we can ensure that no survivor of this crime has to go it alone.

From the Huffington Post