June 5, 2019

When Mia* was in her late 20’s, she entered a job training program for adults with developmental disabilities. It was an exciting opportunity to develop skills that would help her lead a healthy, productive and fulfilled life. Tragically, her experience provided exactly the opposite.

Over the course of two anguishing months, Mia’s work supervisor repeatedly and violently sexually assaulted her. He would call her into his office to do “work” during her lunch hour. It was a ploy to seclude her from others so he could threaten and abuse her. Eventually, a concerned co-worker noticed bruising on Mia’s body and asked her about it. That’s when she bravely told him of the abuse. He encouraged Mia to report what was happening to a different supervisor. When she summoned the strength to disclose the rapes to a female superior, they failed her. No one called Mia’s caretaker. No one called the police. The violence was ignored.

Shortly thereafter, Mia’s family learned about the abuse. She went to the hospital, endured a rape kit and reported to the police. Again, people failed her. Law enforcement did not make an arrest or bring charges against her abuser.

The traumatic impact and emotional distress this abuse has caused Mia and her family cannot be overstated and it will most certainly continue to affect them for the rest of their lives. While CAASE attorneys could not undo the horrors Mia experienced, they could help her reclaim some of her power and amplify her voice via legal options open to her.

Attorney Karen Doran, a participant in CAASE’s Pro Bono Project, and CAASE attorney Rachel Johnson represented Mia in filing a complaint against the employer. They were able to come to a favorable settlement which will allow Mia to live comfortably and engage in enriching activities to help her overcome the trauma. This settlement also enabled Mia to avoid the difficult and often re-traumatizing trial process.

Rachel and Karen skillfully assisted Mia in meeting the conditions of the settlement, too. They obtained a pro bono psychologist to conduct an evaluation for guardianship and connected Mia to a guardianship attorney. They also identified a Special Needs Trust and trustees who specialize in working with people with disabilities to ensure her settlement was protected and that she was able to continue to receive much-needed government benefits. Additionally, Karen identified a loan to assist Mia’s family with the guardianship fees.

Mia is now able to move forward in safety and security. CAASE is grateful to everyone who helped achieve this favorable outcome, especially pro bono attorney Karen Doran, Legal Assistance Foundation, Chicago Legal Clinic, and Illinois Disability Pooled Trust.  

You can learn more about CAASE’s Pro Bono Project and Legal Services on our website.

*The client’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.