Cy Pres Awards
In many class action lawsuits that result in a monetary award, some funds go unclaimed by class members. These residual funds may be directed to a nonprofit whose work aligns with the interests of the case. This is known as a cy pres award.
Cy pres awards offer an opportunity to extend the impact of a case and support people affected by similar harms.
Why CAASE is a Good Fit for a Cy Pres Award
- CAASE provides free legal services for survivors of cyber sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and sexual assault. We are also one of the only agencies in the country offering free legal services for survivors of nonconsensual dissemination, “deepfakes” and synthetic intimate images, and cyber abuse.
- CAASE advances justice for survivors. We provide legal services, advocate for policy change, and work to prevent sexual exploitation and sexual violence.
- Our work aligns with many class actions involving sexual harm and exploitation. Cy pres funds can support survivors and communities affected by the same systems of harm addressed through litigation.
- CAASE turns legal victories into lasting change. Funding can support direct legal services while also advancing systemic advocacy, prevention, and community education.
- Cy pres awards can extend the reach of a case. Rather than allowing unclaimed funds to go unused, a cy pres award can help create meaningful change for survivors beyond the individual lawsuit.
How You Can Help
If you or your firm are involved in a class action involving cyber sexual abuse, tech-facilitated abuse, image-based sexual abuse, internet exploitation, sexual exploitation, trafficking, sexual violence, incarcerated or criminalized survivors, or related harms, consider nominating CAASE as a cy pres recipient. Together, we can extend the impact of justice.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact Elizabeth Payne, legal director, at epayne@caase.org.