Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

11/07/2024

Surviving the Mic is two weeks away! Mark your calendar for 11/21, 3-5pm.

Surviving the Mic is a virtual event CAASE hosts monthly. It's a trauma-informed writing workshop and online gathering space for survivors and those who support them.

It's a great opportunity to schedule in some time to be with community. We hope to see you there!

Learn more here:

Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of s*xual harm and those who support them.

11/05/2024

It’s Election Day! Your precinct polling place is open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm!

Are you prepared to cast your vote today?

🗳️Find your polling place: https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx In Illinois, you can register to vote on Election Day. Just make sure you have at least two ID forms, one showing your current address.

🗳️Enter your zip code to view a sample ballot here: https://ballotpedia.org/Chicago_Sample_Ballot

🗳️Vote by mail ballots must be postmarked by today or returned via Secure Drop Box by 7 pm.

Thank you for making your voice heard!

Use this tool to review your ballot selections in preparation for voting Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

11/04/2024

CAASE encourages our community to VOTE! Tomorrow our offices will be closed for Election Day. 🗳️

The election impacts survivors. The election impacts us all. Exercise your right to vote and make your voice heard when so much is at stake. Prepare for tomorrow! Visit www.vote411.org/illinois to learn more about making a voting plan, previewing your ballot info, finding your polling place, and more. Last but not least, take good care of yourself during this time.

11/01/2024

Happy November!

As you make your plans for this especially cozy and busy month, we hope you'll save the date for our November events! 🧡 Learn more on our website: https://www.caase.org/events-calendar/

11/01/2024

10/31/2024

Boo! 👻 Feeling frightened? There are some things even scarier than this holiday...

Happy Halloween! 🎃

10/30/2024

Check out this highly informative Cook County judicial election guide from our friends at Injustice Watch. The ballot will be full of judges so prepare your voting plan and stay informed!

Injustice Watch's guide to the November 2024 Cook County judicial elections

10/30/2024

“Domestic violence, trafficking, and the s*x trade all involve someone with more power and resources trying to control another person with less power and resources.”

https://www.caase.org/domestic-violence-and-s*x-trade/

Domestic violence and s*x trafficking are related. Understanding the links makes you better prepared to help survivors and break the cycle.

10/29/2024

Election Day is just one week away. The stress, anxiety, and anticipation can weigh heavily on our mental health. Make sure that you’re finding time to practice self-care in the coming week. Even a few minutes a day dedicated to your favorite activity, or disconnecting from the election news cycle can be beneficial. Check out this resource for some inspiration. Take good care! ❤️

As the 2024 General Election approaches, it's important to take care of your well-being. From mindful media consumption to planning your election night, this article offers practical tips to help you manage stress and stay grounded. Research underscores the emotional impacts of politics, making...

10/28/2024

Have you checked out our Executive Director, Kaethe Morris Hoffer on the latest episode of the Project 42 podcast? Tune in for a compelling conversation!

Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7H5uJ497s7Vdf3eAHIwkc0?si=f4b9232b38644156

Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/sOxeqGH0puo

Raising awareness on Child S*xual Abuse

10/25/2024

Resilience’s WOC Support Group has just begun! This is an opportunity for survivors to be a part of a safe space that fosters healing and community. The meetings are virtual and run through December 16. Participants must be 18 or older and reside in the state of Illinois. For more information, please reach out to Ana Gabriela Aviles at [email protected].

10/25/2024

We're looking forward to this event with Uptown People's Law Center and Just Detention International on Monday!

10/24/2024

“Violent partners use s*xual harm as part of a pattern of abuse and control. They know gender-based violence fosters and thrives on silence, self-doubt, and fear—factors that seem to amplify when s*xual and domestic violence are intertwined.”

Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be winding down, but as allies, there are plenty of ways we can continue to bring awareness to domestic violence and s*xual harm every day.

Read our blog to learn more about the link between the two.

Violent partners use s*xual harm as part of a pattern of abuse and control. They know gender-based violence fosters and thrives on silence, self-doubt, and fear—factors that seem to amplify when s*xual and domestic violence are intertwined.

10/24/2024

Election Day (Tuesday, November 5) is right around the corner. Check out this important resource from The Network - Advocating Against Domestic Violence. Your vote matters!

10/23/2024

“Lawmakers ‘need to understand this isn’t a personal problem, this isn’t a family problem—this is all of our problems, and we’ve got to work to eradicate it.’”

Critical services for survivors struggle to stay afloat—but Congress has been missing in action.

10/23/2024

"When we believe and support survivors, we diminish that silence and stigma that allows s*xual harm to subsist. We can make room for a future where people feel supported in their healing and equipped with resources."

It's been seven years since first went viral. Read our new blog to learn more about how we can continue to move forward in this movement.

https://www.caase.org/me-too-seven-years/

This month marks seven years since the Me Too Movement first went viral. We reflect back on this chapter of the anti-s*xual harm movement, the progress that has been made since then, and look ahead to the future.

10/22/2024

“'People are landing in our jails in bad shape, physically and mentally, and they are too often made worse because of the conditions in jail,' said Amanda Antholt, a managing attorney with the nonprofit Equip for Equality. 'That’s the problem we want to get at. We want them to be treated humanely and get the care they need to not be in jail or to survive their court process without getting hurt.'”

Jails and prisons don’t provide the mental health care many defendants like Reneyda Aguilar-Hurtado need. We need systems that recognize these individuals' humanity.

Advocates say a woman’s death in jail appears to have been an entirely avoidable tragedy, one that exposes a confluence of failures.

10/22/2024

On Thursday evening, we gathered with our circle of supporters, advocates, allies, and survivors for the Celebrating Allies Fundraiser. The night was an inspiring success and we're moved by the show of generosity!

Our community raised $92,501.45! We are so grateful for this support which will help us continue serving survivors and creating a world free from s*xual harm.

Thank you again to each and every person who joined us in honoring Amanda Pyron with our Visionary Award, Chuck Smith with our Legacy Builder Award, and K&L Gates with our Pro Bono Excellence Award.

Learn more about the event here: https://www.caase.org/honoring-allies-supporting-survivors/