Criminal Records Summit at the Women's Justice Institute
2025-01-26 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Women’s Justice Institute, 2150 S Canalport Ave, Chicago, IL, 60608
Join The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) for a criminal records summit on January 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Women’s Justice Institute (2150 S Canalport Ave, Chicago, IL 60608). Our legal team will provide criminal records legal services to formerly incarcerated survivors.
Please contact Elizabeth Payne at epayne@caase.org for more information or to schedule a consultation at the summit.
Learn more about CAASE’s legal services here. We hope to see you there!

Let’s Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum
2025-02-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Jane Addams Hull House, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL, United States
Fourth Wednesday of each month, 1-2PM CT
Join CAASE for our monthly virtual community forum, Let’s Chat Over Lunch. At each gathering, we’ll discuss current cultural events, media, and news headlines related to sexual harm and/or social injustice. Let’s Chat Over Lunch will be held every 4th Wednesday of the month from 1pm-2pm.
Topics for each gathering will be updated as current events unfold.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81030893716?pwd=[REDACTED]

Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together
2025-02-20 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Jane Addams Hull House, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL, United States
Third Thursday of each month, 3-5PM CST
Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of sexual harm and those who support them, either personally or professionally or both.
Join the Gathering on Zoom
The virtual gathering happens on the third Thursday of each month, from 3-5pmCST, and is facilitated by Mojdeh Stoakley, with occasional guest facilitators. The gathering begins with a check in and dialogue on current events, followed by a trauma-informed writing workshop designed for survivors of sexual harm. Attendees are invited to share their writing, if comfortable.
Virtually Together is supported by the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation and is produced and facilitated by Surviving the Mic.
More information about the Surviving the Mic method for holding brave space for those navigating the effects of trauma due to sexual violence is available at www.survivingthemic.org
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84061716481?pwd=[REDACTED]

Legal Info Tabling at School of the Art institute of Chicago
2025-04-15 11:00 - 12:30 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago, United States
Join us for a special SAAM event! Staff Attorney Marlee Rich will be tabling at the Art Institute to provide information to student survivors about Title IX and CAASE’s legal services. This event will be held on Tuesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Please reach out to Beth Payne with questions about the event.

Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together
2025-04-17 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-15 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-19 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-09 15:54, 2025-07-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Jane Addams Hull House, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL, United States
Third Thursday of each month, 3-5PM CST
Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of sexual harm and those who support them, either personally or professionally or both.
Join the Gathering on Zoom
The virtual gathering happens on the third Thursday of each month, from 3-5pmCST, and is facilitated by Mojdeh Stoakley, with occasional guest facilitators. The gathering begins with a check in and dialogue on current events, followed by a trauma-informed writing workshop designed for survivors of sexual harm. Attendees are invited to share their writing, if comfortable.
Virtually Together is supported by the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation and is produced and facilitated by Surviving the Mic.
More information about the Surviving the Mic method for holding brave space for those navigating the effects of trauma due to sexual violence is available at www.survivingthemic.org
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89465588394?pwd=[REDACTED]

Shifting Culture: How Communities Can Foster Consent, Safety, and Respect - A Panel
2025-04-23 15:30 - 16:30 | Jane Addams Hull House, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL, United States
Join CAASE’s Prevention Education and Community Engagement teams for this virtual Sexual Assault Awareness Month event on Wednesday, April 23, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Ending sexual harm isn’t just about changing individuals’ behaviors—it’s about creating communities where respect and empathy are the norm. Join CAASE for a panel exploring how nonprofits, schools, and community groups can create environments that forefront consent, safety, and respect while empowering members to end sexual harm.
Please click here to register for the panel.

Brave Space: An Assembly for Sexual Assault Awareness
2025-04-26 09:00 - 13:00 | 1524 Simpson St., Evanston, IL, 1524 Simpson St., Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
You’re invited to Brave Space: An Assembly for Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Saturday, April 26! We will gather at 1524 Simpson St., Evanston, IL, from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Our mission is to create safe environments through education, support, and community engagement, ultimately empowering individuals to make informed decisions and take proactive steps to prevent sexual violence.
We will have a panel discussion with various advocates, followed by refreshments and interactive activities for open expression.

Prevention Education – This includes educating individuals on identifying unsafe situations, establishing personal boundaries, and intervening in harmful situations, with a focus on prevention rather than victim blaming.
Legal Experts – Legal professionals with expertise in supporting sexual assault survivors will be present to provide accurate information and guidance on navigating legal processes.
Emotional Support – Certified sexual assault advocates will be available to provide emotional support.

Featuring Saunté Harden-Tate, CAASE Community Engagement Coordinator, Anika Sterling-Florez, CAASE Community Engagement Director, Melanie Martin, CAASE Managing Attorney, Joanna Quargnali-Linsley, Northwest CASA, and Yaneth Corral, Advocate Aurora Health.
This event is free to attend.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brave-space-tickets-1219913015669

Legal Clinic for City Colleges of Chicago
2025-04-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Jane Addams Hull House, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL, United States
City College of Chicago students– facing a legal issue but not sure where to start? Join us for a special SAAM event for students of the City Colleges of Chicago. This event will be held virtually on Wednesday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Staff Attorney Marlee Rich will be running a virtual legal clinic for City Colleges of Chicago students who wish to consult with an attorney about Title IX and other legal options for sexual harm survivors
To request to register for the legal clinic, email sas@ccc.edu.
When requesting to register, include your full name, safe email address and safe phone number, legal concern, and preferred appointment times. Survivor Advocacy Services will follow up to confirm eligibility and provide next steps. Appointments are first-come first-served.
Please reach out to Beth Payne with questions about the event.

A CAASE of Empowerment: Prevention’s Impact
2025-05-15 18:00 - 20:00 | 151 N Franklin St, 151 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL, United States
Thank you for being our guest at A CAASE of Empowerment 2025 and making it a success! Please read more about the event here. We hope you’ll join us next year!

You’re invited to join CAASE for an immersive experience highlighting our prevention education program! Join us for an evening of connection, education, and changemaking. We invite our guests to learn firsthand from our prevention educators who empower students to become active allies in ending sexual harm. Participants will be able to ask questions and discuss with the educators and fellow participants.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. CDT
151 N Franklin St., Chicago, IL
Save the date for this new event! Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
We hope you will join us to socialize and fundraise. All proceeds from A CAASE of Empowerment: Prevention’s Impact will support CAASE’s prevention education program.
Tickets
Discounted tickets for young professionals, nonprofit, and government employees are available for $100. Regular tickets are available for $125.
Our Prevention Educators will lead a workshop about:
Consent
We’ll have an honest, open discussion about what consent is, why it matters, and how people can practice it in their daily lives.
Sexting
We’ll explore the ways sex and technology are becoming increasingly linked for young people—and practice using a helpful tool to keep sexting safe, healthy, and SPICY.
Victim Blaming
We’ll take a look at common examples of victim blaming, think critically about how it impacts people, and brainstorm some actions we can take to practice compassion instead.
Dress code: Business casual.
Accessibility: To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact us.
Donate
Support survivors and back our mission to end sexual harm by giving today. Here are some ways your donation helps us in the fight against sexual harm:

$350 enables the Prevention team to conduct a one-hour training on sexting or pornography to a classroom of high school students
$1,000 funds the purchase of one computer for a CAASE staffer
$1,800 covers the cost of implementing one 5-session Prevention program to a high school classroom

The Greer Foundation will match donations made to support CAASE’s prevention education program up to $50,000!
Can’t make this event? Support CAASE and our Prevention Education program by making a donation.
Generous Sponsors
Sponsoring A CAASE of Empowerment: Prevention’s Impact is a wonderful way to support survivors and demonstrate a commitment to ending sexual harm. We welcome you to look over the sponsorship opportunities.
Sponsorship will be available for purchase up until the event on May 15. In order to be included in our printed materials for the event, please purchase your sponsorship by Wednesday, May 7.
Platinum Sponsor
Friedman Family Fund
Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Please contact LaQuita Hearn-Quinn to learn more about sponsoring this event by calling (773) 244-2230 ext. 217 or emailing LHearnQuinn@caase.org. We are gladly accepting new sponsors up until the event.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Stay connected to CAASE and hear about the work we’re doing with your support by subscribing to CAASE’s newsletter and following us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

Art Is Healing Workshop
2025-05-16 11:00 - 13:00 | YWCA Parks Francis Center, 6600 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, United States
Join CAASE for Art is Healing on Friday, May 16, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at YWCA Park Francis Center!
This paint workshop will focus on utilizing art to navigate trauma and to promote healing. Paint supplies and refreshments will be provided.
This event is free to attend.
Please click here to register.
We look forward to seeing you at the YWCA Park Francis Center on Friday, May 16!

Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together
2025-08-21 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-18 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-10-16 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-20 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-18 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-15 15:00 - 17:00 | Jane Addams Hull House, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL, United States
Third Thursday of each month, 3-5PM CST
Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of sexual harm and those who support them, either personally or professionally or both.
The virtual gathering happens on the third Thursday of each month, from 3-5pmCST, and is facilitated by Mojdeh Stoakley, with occasional guest facilitators. The gathering begins with a check-in and dialogue on current events, followed by a trauma-informed writing workshop designed for survivors of sexual harm. Attendees are invited to share their writing, if comfortable. This is a drop-in event, no RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!
Join the Gathering on Zoom
Virtually Together is supported by the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation and is produced and facilitated by Surviving the Mic.
More information about the Surviving the Mic method for holding brave space for those navigating the effects of trauma due to sexual violence is available at survivingthemic.org.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89465588394?pwd=[REDACTED]

Let’s Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum
2025-08-27 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Jane Addams Hull House, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL, United States
Fourth Wednesday of each month, 12PM-1PM CT
Join CAASE for our monthly virtual community forum, Let’s Chat Over Lunch. At each gathering, we’ll discuss current cultural events, media, and news headlines related to sexual harm and/or social injustice. Let’s Chat Over Lunch will be held every 4th Wednesday of the month from noon-1pm.
Join the Conversation on Zoom
Topics for each gathering will be updated as current events unfold. This is a drop-in event, no RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81030893716?pwd=[REDACTED]

Let’s Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum
2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Jane Addams Hull House, 800 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL, United States
Fourth Wednesday of each month, 1-2PM CT
Join CAASE for our monthly virtual community forum, Let’s Chat Over Lunch. At each gathering, we’ll discuss current cultural events, media, and news headlines related to sexual harm and/or social injustice. Let’s Chat Over Lunch will be held every 4th Wednesday of the month.
Please note the change made for this month’s event! This event will be held from noon until 1 pm.
Join the Conversation on Zoom
Topics for each gathering will be updated as current events unfold. This is a drop-in event, no RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81030893716?pwd=[REDACTED]

Celebrating Allies 2025
2025-10-15 18:00 - 20:00 | 320 S. Canal St. Chicago, IL 60606, 320 S. Canal St., Chicago, 60606, United States
Thank you for making Celebrating Allies 2025 a success! Read more about the evening on our blog, Celebrating Allies Honors Critical Partners.
Join us at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation’s 2025 annual fundraiser as we bring together our supporters, advocates, allies, and survivors to celebrate the work of ending sexual harm and uplift those who are making a difference. The program will feature an award ceremony to honor transformational leadership in culture change, as well as critical legal work accomplished for survivors of sexual harm.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. CDT
320 S. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60606
Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Tickets
Registration for the event is now closed. If you are unable to attend Celebrating Allies 2025 but would still like to support the event, we would be grateful if you made a donation in honor of the event!
DONATE TO CELEBRATING ALLIES

Honorees and Speakers
Sarah Conway and Trina Reynolds-Tyler – Visionary Award Honorees
One of CAASE’s primary concerns has always been how Black women and girls in Chicago are disproportionately exploited and harmed. You can find some of our thoughts in media coverage on these issues here and here. Journalists investigating on the front lines have always played a critical role in exposing these realities, and this year we are truly excited to be honoring and celebrating journalists Sarah Conway and Trina Reynolds-Tyler at our annual Fall Fundraiser! Their series (published by the Invisible Institute) investigated how Chicago police responded to missing Black women and girls, shining critical light on a topic that is too often overlooked. The journalists won a Pulitzer Prize for their series in the Local Reporting category.
We are thrilled that Sarah Conway and Trina Reynolds-Tyler have agreed to let us honor them this year. Secure your spot to celebrate them today!
Nathan Henderson – Pro Bono Luminary Award

Nathan Henderson is an Associate in the Litigation Department at Saul Ewing LLP. In January 2024, Illinois enacted a new law allowing survivors of “deep fakes,” or digitally altered sexual images, to sue their abusers. This year, Nathan served as co-counsel with CAASE on one of the first lawsuits filed under this new law. Nathan exhibited incredible compassion and tireless advocacy on behalf of our client. He was innovative and bold in negotiating a settlement that exceeded the client’s expectations and included third-party verification that all images were wiped from the defendant’s devices. We are delighted to present Nathan Henderson with the Pro Bono Luminary Award at Celebrating Allies 2025.
Chapman and Cutler LLP – Pro Bono Excellence Award

We are honored to award Chapman and Cutler LLP with the Celebrating Allies 2025 Pro Bono Excellence Award. Chapman has a long history of dedicated pro bono service. The firm’s pro bono work is led by Partner Rebecca Wallenfelsz and Pro Bono Counsel Sara Ghadiri and supports a wide range of legal aid needs including gender-based violence-related matters. This year, Sara and Chapman Partner Eric Silvestri worked with CAASE to represent a sex trafficking survivor in a groundbreaking lawsuit brought under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a federal law allowing survivors to sue those who profit from their trafficking. It is our hope that the outcome of this suit will provide a clear path forward for trafficking survivors’ healing and empowerment. We are proud to recognize Chapman’s dedication to this important and impactful work.

Sauntè Harden-Tate – Performer

Writer and Spoken Word Artist
Sauntè Harden-Tate (pronounced Sahn-tay) is a Black American Chicago Westside Native, creative writer, Advocate, Community Educator, Trauma Advocate, proud mother of two, and wife. With a deep-rooted passion for healing, advocating, and educating the community on trauma, Saunte has over 10 years of advocacy and prevention work. With her deep understanding of trauma, Sauntè has a special affinity for uplifting and educating the community on the long-stemming traumas and struggles that disproportionately affect the Black community. Knowing firsthand and witnessing the depth of trauma among black people, Sauntè has a profound desire to start the healing process. She created a web show called “Oh! We Gon’ Talk!” which facilitates conversations centered around generational trauma within the black community. Sauntè not only uses public speaking to advocate and educate, but she also uses poetry and writing to share with others about different traumas and emotions.

Survivor Speaker
Survivor and former CAASE client

Guests will have the privilege of hearing directly from a survivor about the impact of sexual harm and the power of seeking justice with the support of compassionate allies. She is a former client of CAASE’s legal services and we’re honored to welcome her as a speaker.

Donate
Support survivors and back our mission to end sexual harm by giving today. Here are some ways your donation helps us in the fight against sexual harm:

$100 provides a stipend for survivors who share expertise and input on CAASE policies and programs
$350 enables the Prevention team to conduct a one-hour training on sexting or pornography to a classroom of high school students
$500 funds the hosting of one focus or support group for survivors
$1,000 funds the purchase of one computer for a CAASE staffer
$1,800 covers the cost of implementing one 5-session Prevention program to a high school classroom
$5,000 covers the cost of resolving one legal matter for a survivor of sexual harm
$7,500 pays for comprehensive legal services for one survivor for one year
$10,000 resolves two legal matters for survivors

MAKE A DONATION
Generous Sponsors
Sponsoring Celebrating Allies is a wonderful way to support survivors and demonstrate a commitment to ending sexual harm. We welcome you to look over the sponsorship opportunities and contact LaQuita Hearn-Quinn and take full advantage of sponsorship benefits. Call 773-244-2230 ext. 217 or email lhearnquinn@caase.org.
BECOME A SPONSOR
We are gladly accepting new sponsors up until the event. To be included in printed sponsor materials, we kindly ask you to submit your sponsorship by Wednesday, October 8.
Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors
The Friedman Family Fund

Silver Sponsors

Denise Fogus Gibson

Bronze Sponsors

Stay connected to CAASE and hear about all the amazing work we’re doing with your support by subscribing to CAASE’s newsletter and following us on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Bluesky.
