Meet Katie Koestner
Katie Koestner speaking to an audience at the DC rally of 1995
Speaker, Consultant, Expert Witness, Advocate, and Founder
Katie Koestner is a speaker, consultant, expert witness, advocate, and founder whose work has helped shape national conversations around sexual violence, consent, and institutional accountability for more than three decades.
After becoming the first woman in history to speak publicly and nationally about acquaintance rape, Katie dedicated her career to prevention, survivor advocacy, and institutional reform.
Today, Katie advises institutions, corporations, government agencies, and legal teams on risk management, misconduct response, policy development, and cultural change. She has reached more than 10 million people through her speaking, advised over 5,000 institutions, and served as an expert witness in complex legal matters involving sexual misconduct and standards of care.
She is the founder of Take Back The Night, creator of the National Sexual Assault Legal Hotline, and host of the Dear Katie Podcast. Through these initiatives, Katie continues to connect survivor experiences with meaningful action, helping individuals, organizations, and communities build cultures grounded in accountability, dignity, and respect.
A Legacy of Firsts: Milestones That Changed the Conversation
1990
Testimony on Capitol Hill for Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act
Personal story shared to support the passage of the Jeanne Clery Act on the steps of the Capitol.
1991
TIME Magazine Cover Story
At 18 years old, Katie became the first woman in history to speak publicly and nationally about acquaintance rape, helping bring the issue into the national spotlight.
1992
Campus Sexual Assault Victims’ Bill of Rights
Helped shape one of the most significant federal victim-rights reforms in higher education.
2026
Twitch Guild Streamers
Training series for top-tier Twitch streamers on respectful online boundaries and harassment policies.
Topics
Workplace Culture
Title IX Compliance
Expert Witness
Risk Mitigation
Sexual Assault/Rape Awareness
Trauma & Healing