The US Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network hotline (RAINN) has reported a 40 per cent increase in calls during the week that Lifetime released the second half of its documentary series Surviving R. Kelly.

Premiered last week in three episodes between 2 and 4 January, Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning recaps the events of the past year, as Kelly awaits trial on multiple charges in three states. RAINN’s hotline number (800-656-4673) and its public service announcement are both featured across the series.

“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,” said Erinn Robinson, RAINN press secretary.

Brie Miranda Bryant, Senior Vice President, Unscripted Development and Programming at Lifetime said: “We are so thankful for our partnership with RAINN as part of our Stop Violence Against Women Initiative and to see the jump in calls during the airings of Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning.”

Surviving R. Kelly follows the singer’s alleged sexual misconduct over the decades, including the abuse of underage girls. The series claims that R. Kelly groomed teenage girls for sex and kept their movements under his control, including having them followed, through interviews with his ex-wife, former assistant, head of security, back-up singers, ex-girlfriends, and brothers. 

The first part of the series aired last year, and saw RAINN receive an increase of more than 20 per cent to its hotline. 

You can find more information of RAINN’s website.