Chicago Children's Advocacy Center

01/27/2023

Knowing the signs of abuse, having open communication, teaching about consent, boundaries and privacy, and creating a family safety plan can help caregivers prevent child s*xual abuse. Let’s start the conversations early and have them often.

Need help with how to start the conversation? Please contact [email protected] for more information.

01/25/2023

“Many of the human trafficking cases we see here at ChicagoCAC involve technology and social media in some capacity. This is often how a trafficker initially gains the youth's trust and begins grooming the child,” Haley Elson, MSW, LSW, further stated regarding child human trafficking and social media.

Haley continues to explain that some signs of a child being exploited online can include:
- A child possessing items or money that you do not know how they got.
- Increased time spent online and being secretive about who they are talking to.
- If the child suddenly starts to withdraw from activities and supports.

ChicagoCAC offers information and training on how to talk to children about online safety. For more information on this type of training, email [email protected].

01/23/2023

Want to help children and families heal from life-changing trauma in a supportive, collaborative environment with fantastic benefits? Consider ChicagoCAC! View our open positions, including mental health, advocacy, development, and accounting at https://bit.ly/chicacwork today!

01/20/2023

Keeping Children Safe is a training explicitly geared towards professionals who work with children daily. At the end of this training, professionals will be able to recognize signs and behaviors of suspected abuse, help a child who discloses their abuse, and learn key prevention techniques to prevent future abuse from happening.

For more information or to schedule this training for your organization, email [email protected].

01/18/2023

ChicagoCAC is committed to serving children who have been trafficked and every case we receive is reviewed for red flags of human trafficking.

Earlier this month, our Human Trafficking Therapist, Courtney Bunn, MSW, LCSW, was interviewed for a story with Scripps News Network that was also picked up by ABC News Affiliates. To see the full interview, click the link: https://scrippsnews.com/stories/january-is-human-trafficking-awareness-and-prevention-month/

01/16/2023

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a day of service and a time to reflect on this remarkable civil rights leader’s legacy of words, life, and dream. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech reminds us to continue working toward racial equity and never forget the vital work that is still needed. The Civil Rights movement continues to liberate many Americans from the shackles of racism and discrimination.

As an organization that helps children heal and grow from their s*xual abuse, we strive to live up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of equitable treatment by leading with compassion for the most vulnerable. Please join us today, and every day, to uphold Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream!

01/13/2023

We are saddened to hear that s*xual misconduct cases continued to rise within CPS in 2022 after the latest CPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report came out earlier this month. Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center remains committed as a resource to CPS in their investigations of these cases.

Char Rivette, Chief Executive Officer of ChicagoCAC added, “We believe that the collaborative approach among investigating agencies utilized at ChicagoCAC reduces the trauma to the victims of child s*xual abuse while an investigation is proceeding. We also believe that opportunity and availability of services for victims of child s*xual abuse and their families including advocacy, medical and mental health treatment is important to the restoration of children after cases are reported.”

ChicagoCAC offers s*xual abuse recognition training and prevention for the education of students, teachers, school workers, and parents. Please contact Karina Gil, Director of Education, Outreach and Prevention, at [email protected] for further information.

Click the following link to read the full report: shorturl.at/twJRY

01/12/2023

Does your child know how to navigate the internet? We know about ‘stranger danger’ on the streets, but what about online? This training aims to prepare you with best practices to ensure your children don’t become victims of child s*xual abuse online.

ChicagoCAC offers training on Keeping Children Safe Online for caregivers and professionals. Contact [email protected] to get information on scheduling this training for your organization today!

01/11/2023

January 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. This nationally recognized day aims to highlight and educate people on human trafficking, its prevalence, signs, and solutions. ChicagoCAC acknowledges this as a highly underreported crime that impacts children, who are generally more vulnerable and may not understand their situation is abusive or have been told by other adults to trust their trafficker.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), “In many cases, victims do not come forward to seek help because they are vulnerable, potential language barriers may exist, they have a fear of law enforcement, or they do not identify as a victim.”

If you suspect or know a child is a victim of human trafficking, please reach out to the Illinois DCFS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-2873. DCFS is a part of ChicagoCAC’s Multi-Disciplinary Team working hard to get victims of child s*xual abuse the justice and help they deserve.

01/09/2023

At ChicagoCAC, we have a dedicated Human Trafficking team to support the needs of victims of child s*xual abuse who have also experienced human trafficking.

There are different warning signs for human trafficking that caregivers and professionals should be aware of, including the child having an older girl/boyfriend who isolates the child, a child meeting in person with older people they met online, a child who suddenly seems to have material possessions you don’t know how they obtained, the child’s phone number appears to change a lot, and the child has a history of hypers*xualized behavior that may not be age-appropriate.

Other warning signs will be shared in the coming weeks as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, so stay tuned.

If you know or suspect a child is being trafficked, please contact the Illinois DCFS Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-252-2873) or the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888).

01/06/2023

New Year's Resolution: Understand my trauma to make 2023 a better year.

ChicagoCAC offers training on Understanding Trauma & Resiliency for professionals of any field. Contact [email protected] to get information on scheduling this training for your organization today!

01/05/2023

Part of the complication of human trafficking is that items of value vary with the person. For example, while money is undoubtedly valuable, food, shelter, or clothing may be more needed or acceptable. Any item or no items can be exchanged for s*x or labor regarding human trafficking.

01/03/2023

January is human trafficking awareness month. People often think of human trafficking as something that doesn’t happen here or only certain people are human trafficked. The truth is anyone can become vulnerable to human trafficking. This month, we’ll be talking about prevention and actions to take against human trafficking.

01/01/2023

Happy New Year 2023

Thank you to all of our staff, supporters, donors, partners, friends, and family as we welcome in 2023!

May this be a year of healing, growth, and light for all. Happy New Year!

12/31/2022

Your generosity allows children to tell their stories and begin their journey to healing. Thank you for believing in our work and helping us cultivate an environment of courage, strength, and resilience. -Veronica Pierce, MSW, Director of MDT Coordination

Your generous gift increases access to mental health care for victims of child s*xual abuse at ChicagoCAC. All new and increased contributions made this year will be matched, thanks to our $100,000 challenge match!

Give online today: chicagocac.org/donate

12/30/2022

Our donors help the transportation department provide a safe and reliable door-to-door solution for families in need. Thank you for helping give families a Lyft! – Nathaniel Williams, Transportation & Operations Manager

Your generous gift increases access to mental health care for victims of child s*xual abuse at ChicagoCAC. All new and increased gifts made this year will be matched, thanks to our $100,000 challenge match!

Give online today: chicagocac.org/donate

12/29/2022

Hearing the words “I feel so much better” from a child who disclosed or spoke with their advocate is heartwarming. Continued support from donors allows the Advocacy department to provide social support to families in a kid-friendly environment. – Stephanie Lawson, MSW, Director of Advocacy
All new and increased gifts made this year will be matched, thanks to our $100,000 challenge match!

12/28/2022

As a Forensic Interviewer Supervisor and, at times, as an interviewer, when donors donate to the ChicagoCAC, I know that I will still have an opportunity to hear a victim at the end of their interview thank me for listening to them and that they feel better knowing someone believes them. – Kelly Medina, MSW, Forensic Interviewer Supervisor

Child s*xual abuse thrives in silence. Your generous gift allows children to feel heard, seen, and advocated for effectively. All new and increased gifts made this year will be matched, thanks to our $100,000 challenge match!

12/26/2022

"Kwanzaa is a pan-African celebration of heritage and culture and family and community. The principles and the manner of observing the holiday lift up traditional values that are key to our lives." -Janine Bell

We at ChicagoCAC wish you a joyous Kwanzaa!

12/25/2022

We hope your holiday season is full of peace, joy, and happiness. From all at ChicagoCAC, Merry Christmas!

12/23/2022

"Due to your generosity, we can provide training for the next generation of clinicians to help children heal from trauma. With your support, we can help victims of child s*xual abuse become survivors". – Ana Nunez, Psy.D., Senior Bilingual Therapist

Your generous gift helps prepare a new generation of mental health therapists to continue serving victims of child s*xual abuse at ChicagoCAC. All new and increased gifts made this year will be matched, thanks to our $100,000 challenge match! Give online today: chicagocac.org/donate

12/20/2022

“Trauma-specific therapy can be hard to find and a difficult journey to embark on. Your donations to ChicagoCAC allow us to break down barriers and provide ongoing, accessible mental health services to children and families in the community.”
- Courtney Bunn, MSW, LCSW, Human Trafficking Therapist

Your generous gift increases access to mental health care for victims of child s*xual abuse at ChicagoCAC. All new and increased gifts made this year will be matched, thanks to our $100,000 challenge match!

12/19/2022

Enter for a chance to win two floor tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Tampa, FL in April 2023! Includes domestic airfare up to $1,000, and one night’s hotel accommodation. Raffle ticket sales end December 21st at 11:59 PM CST. Winner will be announced on December 22!

Raffle tickets are 1 for $50 and 3 for $100! Click link to enter raffle: https://aesbid.com/ELP/TSRAFFLE22

12/18/2022

Let the light of love and hope shine brightly this Hanukkah.
From all of us at ChicagoCAC, Happy Hanukkah.

12/16/2022

When children come to ChicagoCAC, it’s an unfamiliar place to them and that can feel scary. So, being able to have familiar toys, games, and activities that they like to play with, allows for this space to become warm, inviting, and even fun! Your donations help to make this possible. Thank you! - Annie Drehkoff, MS, CCLS, Child Life Manager

Make a new or increased gift this holiday season and it will be matched, thanks to our $100,000 challenge match! Give online today: chicagocac.org/give

12/14/2022

Exciting news for us in the season of giving! All new and increased year end donations will count towards our $100,000 match challenge grant. Your gift will mean more healing, more smiles, and more returning to childhood for victims of child s*xual abuse. Please consider ChicagoCAC in your end of year giving. Thank you!
Go to chicagocac.org/give

12/12/2022

ChicagoCAC mourns the devastating loss of Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, his two children, his home counties Champaign and Vermilion, and everyone who knew him.

Before Senator Bennett joined the Illinois Senate, he served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Champaign County. During his time there, he became a champion for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) and children through prosecuting complex cases involving child victims and CAC clients . Bennett led an effort to eliminate the statute of limitations for child s*xual abuse in 2017, which passed into law that year. Remarking on the significance of the bill , Senator Bennett had said, “Often victims of abuse take some time to find the courage to address these horrific crimes. They should have the option when they are ready to confront their abuser.”

Senator Bennett was very supportive of our efforts to impact training for mandated reporters in 2019, and again in 2021 helped lead negotiations of Faith’s Law that expanded the definition of grooming in the criminal code. He took up that challenge despite a busy schedule because he knew the importance of this work.

Under Senator Bennett’s leadership, ChicagoCAC was able to successfully secure the support for Faith’s Law from key members of Senate Leadership and various committees. Senator Bennett worked hard to help give CACs and children a voice through his legislative and advocacy work. We will miss him, and our hearts go out to everyone who will feel our state’s immense loss.

12/09/2022

We at ChicagoCAC believe all children deserve to live free from fear and harm. Every day, in partnership with our multi-disciplinary team and your support, we are helping children heal from their trauma and return to their childhood.
This holiday season, please give to ChicagoCAC so we can continue our mission of hope and healing another year. We sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you. 💜 To give, go to: chicagocac.org/give

12/07/2022

Our annual toy drive will come to a close on Monday, December 12. There's still time to donate a toy or gift card to make the holiday season special for a child and their family.

If you miss the Monday deadline, no worries, we will take in gifts as late as Wednesday the 14th. Thank you!

Amazon wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/.../ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws...
Target wish list:
https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift-giver...

12/05/2022

Meet Us At Midnight for Taylor Swift's highly anticipated Eras Tour!

You may not have survived The Great War for tickets, but you'll have The Best Day when you score these Enchanted floor tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Tampa, Florida.

Airfare up to $1,000 domestically and accommodation included!

A very special friend of ChicagoCAC has generously donated these nearly impossible-to-get tickets. A second very merry friend of the center has donated travel expenses!

Please share this raffle with all of the Swifties in your life!

Link to raffle here: http://ow.ly/VrIz50LUe0q

12/01/2022

On behalf of our staff and the children and families who are served by ChicagoCAC, we want to say thank you for giving this .

Your generous gift is being used to ensure the children we serve can tell their story and heal from the trauma they’ve endured. Our approach to healing starts with each child receiving a multidisciplinary team of advocates, therapists, and medical professionals all working toward giving a child their childhood back. All services the child and families receive from ChicagoCAC are at no cost.

Your help, your generous gifts, and your voice talking about our work at ChicagoCAC all contribute towards the well-being of children. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We literally cannot say it enough!

As we enter the holiday season, it is our hope that you will pause and take a moment to recognize you matter so much to ChicagoCAC. You truly make a difference.

Thank you for choosing ChicagoCAC for your contribution.