‘Surviving R. Kelly, Part II’: RAINN sees 40% increase in calls to sexual assault hotline

The sequel to the “Surviving R. Kelly” docuseries is already making an impact, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

The organization’s press secretary, Erinn Roberts, said RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline had a 40% spike in calls on Friday and Saturday.

Lifetime aired all five episodes of “Surviving R. Kelly, Part II: The Reckoning” across Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The series included RAINN’s hotline number (800-656-4673) as well as the organization’s “Wait” PSA.

“We are proud to have partnered with Lifetime on this project and are encouraged that our work with the media continues to empower survivors of sexual violence to seek the help that they need to heal,” Robinson said. 

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“It’s amazing to know the documentary has encouraged important and necessary conversations to happen,” said Brie Miranda Bryant of Lifetime, “and we are extremely proud of our survivors for their courage, who by standing up for themselves, stand for so much more.”

The series chronicles grave sexual misconduct allegations against the musician.

Kelly, 52, has continued to deny all allegations against him. He has pleaded not guilty to more than a dozen sex-crime charges filed in two federal courts and two state courts since February. He is scheduled to face trial in the federal case in Chicago in April, a May federal case in New York and a state case in Chicago is scheduled for September.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault and are in need of support, please call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline (800-656-4673). You can also chat with someone online at https://hotline.rainn.org/online.

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Contributing: Bryan Alexander

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