"'What we're seeing here is really just a modern manifestation of that, a group of women who recognize a need in the church and want to dedicate their lives to fulfilling it, and to not do that part time to make that their entire life.'" https://ow.ly/1f0650ZwKtw

These Catholic sisters want to start a new order with a difficult mission: helping survivors of clergy abuse

Sisters Theresa Alethia and Danielle Lussier call themselves the Sisters of the Little Way of Beauty, Truth and Goodness. Their order plans to help victims of abuse.

ow.ly

Surviving the Mic is two weeks from today! ✍️ Every month we host this trauma-informed writing workshop designed for survivors and those who support them. Attendees are invited to share their writing from the workshop if they'd like. Join us on August 20! https://www.caase.org/event/stm/2026-08-20/

Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together

Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of sexual harm and those who support them.

caase.org

Join us on Wed., Oct. 28 for our annual fall fundraiser, #CelebratingAllies! We'll be toasting change-makers while enjoying delicious cocktails, delightful hors d'oeuvres, & gorgeous city views. ✨ Early bird tickets are on sale starting at just $75. They won't last! bit.ly/CAASECAFF2026

Taking away comprehensive sex ed means taking away students' knowledge and skills about preventing sexual harm. Young people deserve honest and inclusive programs, not more misinformation. 19thnews.org/2026/07/trum...

The new teen pregnancy prevention plan isn't that focused on prevention

The Trump administration will steer millions of dollars toward organizations that focus on anatomy, fertility tracking, hormonal production and “reproductive goals counseling.”

19thnews.org

Happy August! ⛱️☀️ Summer might be winding down, but our #CommunityEngagement monthly events are coming up soon. 🎤 Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together - Thursday, 8/20 💬 Let's Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum - Wednesday, 8/26 📅 See our full calendar: caase.org/events-calendar/

“'But if they’re not ready, that’s OK. They’re not ready. We’re not going to force them. They’ve already had someone running control of their life. We’re not going to do that.'” https://ow.ly/4hP950ZrvuV

Law enforcement takes different tack to fight prostitution in Chicago

Access to the resources and assistance to get out of the sex trade can depend on which law enforcement agency is involved and a person’s willingness to cooperate, the Tribune has found.

ow.ly

Elizabeth Payne & Evelyn Field from our legal team will be presenting at the National Center for Victims of Crime's annual National Training Institute on 9/9! Don’t miss this informative session about working with #CriminalizedSurvivors. Learn more & register: https://ow.ly/3W0W50Ztxu1

Our newly relaunched Young Professionals Board (YPB) is an exciting volunteer opportunity for emerging professionals to grow, socialize, & lead with new connections while fighting sexual harm. Complete our short interest form: bit.ly/CAASEYPB #CAASEYPB #ChicagoNonProfit

Child marriages are so often wrapped up in gender-based violence. Young people deserve to be protected. https://ow.ly/aRnc50ZrWTi 19thnews

The ramifications are dire for organizations facing these threats. Significant delays, or threats to end grants altogether, make it unnecessarily challenging to provide services at the scale our communities need. Survivors deserve better. #SupportSurvivors https://ow.ly/9IVz50ZqQpM

White House Faces Stiff Pushback on Subjecting Grants to Political Review (Gift Article)

Academics, city leaders and congressional lawmakers number among the thousands to urge the Trump administration to reconsider a plan to assert more control over grants.

ow.ly

Our #SexEd Trivia with Response for Teens earlier this week was a huge hit! Thank you to all who joined us & showed up with so much impressive knowledge, energy, & insanely creative team names. 👏 & thanks to our wonderful community partners for being there & sharing resources! #PreventionEducation

Tomorrow's Let's Chat Over Lunch is canceled. We hope you'll join us for the August gathering instead on Wed., Aug. 26.

Politics should never be prioritized over support & resources for survivors. These changes & delays create uncertainty for organizations like CAASE that rely on federal resources to serve survivors. And survivors seeking vital services are the ones paying the price. 19thnews.org/2026/07/dome...

Domestic violence groups fear survivor services could disappear without warning

A new rule change would allow agencies to terminate federal grants for political reasons — without a reason or appeal.

19thnews.org

📅 Monday! 🧠 Sex Ed Trivia hosted by Response for Teens and CAASE! 💡 Last chance to register: jcfs.formstack.com/forms/sex_ed...

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation@thecaase.bsky.social · last mo.

CAASE & Response for Teens are thrilled to bring back Sex Ed Trivia! Join us at is/was brewing on Mon., 7/20, 7-9pm! Join us for trivia, prizes, resources from local partners, and more! Register now: http://jcfs.formstack.com/forms/sex_ed_trivia

We had the best time at #PrideSouthSide earlier this month! 🏳️‍🌈 Pictured here are CAASE staff, Caressa and Anika. #LoveInAction #ChicagoPride #CommunityEngagement

Some days, it feels like we’re moving backward. That’s why we’re moving forward. Today, we’re launching Survivors Deserve Better—a campaign rooted in a simple truth: survivors deserve justice, support, community, and systems that work for them. (1/2)

Surviving the Mic is tomorrow! Join our monthly trauma-informed writing workshop for survivors. Learn more & find the Zoom link here: https://www.caase.org/event/stm/2026-07-16/ #SupportSurvivors #SurvivorWriting

Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together

Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together is an online gathering space for survivors of sexual harm and those who support them.

caase.org

"These normalized depictions don’t just make light of the real impacts of sexual violence—they minimize the role prison staff play in both perpetrating and encouraging the violence that does take place." https://chicagoreader.com/city-life/inside-voices/dont-drop-the-soap/

What ‘don’t drop the soap’ gets wrong - Chicago Reader

Jokes about prison sexual assault have long been prevalent in popular culture; not only are they flippant, but they also hide the bigger picture.

chicagoreader.com

Our friends at the Center for Story & Witness are hosting their two-day testimonial writing workshop for survivors this October in Chicago! It's free and open to survivors and those supporting them. Learn more + apply here: https://form.typeform.com/to/yMIbM8 #SurvivorWriting #SupportSurvivors

Coming up on the 20th! Join us for #Trivia! #ChicagoThingsToDo #TriviaChicago

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation@thecaase.bsky.social · last mo.

CAASE & Response for Teens are thrilled to bring back Sex Ed Trivia! Join us at is/was brewing on Mon., 7/20, 7-9pm! Join us for trivia, prizes, resources from local partners, and more! Register now: http://jcfs.formstack.com/forms/sex_ed_trivia

"I was trying to understand the scale of “criminalized survival,” as it’s been termed: wherein a person—almost always a woman or girl—is arrested, prosecuted, and incarcerated for actions she took to protect herself or a loved one from physical or sexual violence." https://ow.ly/hLXG50Zl7B0

They Fought Their Abusers. They Were Imprisoned for It. | The New Republic

TC Brooks served decades before her sentence was commuted. Justine van der Leun’s new book, Unreasonable Women, tells her story and those of other criminalized survivors.

ow.ly

Two week countdown until Let's Chat Over Lunch! Save the date and join us on Wed., July 22, for a conversation in honor of #MinorityMentalHealthAwarenessMonth. https://www.caase.org/event/lcol/2026-07-22/

Let’s Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum

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 [...]

caase.org

Proud to celebrate #DisabilityPrideMonth during July! Survivors with disabilities deserve access to all of the resources and support they need in healing. https://www.caase.org/disability-and-sexual-harm/ #DisabilityPride #ADA #DisabilityJustice

Celebrating Disability Pride and Fighting Sexual Harm – CAASE

Celebrate Disability Pride Month by centering survivors with disabilities and learning more about what we can do to lessen sexual harm in this community.

caase.org

We're proud to support H.R.9043, The Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act. Organizations and survivors can support by signing the letter found at the link below. The deadline is this Friday, July 10. https://ow.ly/W3S950ZjIwQ

Join us for a monthly #CommunityEngagement event! 🎤 Surviving the Mic: Virtually Together on Thurs. 7/16 💬 Let's Chat Over Lunch: Community Forum on Wed. 7/22 Both are great virtual ways to connect with like-minded people in our community! https://www.caase.org/events-calendar/month/2026-07/

Honored that CAASE's Prevention Manager, Sam McCarthy, is included in this @thr.com feature about the fourth episode of #OffCampus! (1/2)

CAASE's office is closed today. You're always welcome to visit caase.org for more information about our work, resources, blog posts, reports, and more! We look forward to connecting with you next week.

Reminder that Pride South Side is this Sunday! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Free, register today for this joyful event! https://www.pridesouthside.org/event-details/2026-pride-south-side-festival #LoveInAction #PrideSouthSide #ChicagoPride

2026 Pride South Side Festival | Pride South Side

Come show your pride spirit and join us for our 8th annual Pride South Side Festival! This year's theme is Love in Action.

pridesouthside.org

"The government’s first concern should have been protecting survivors, pursuing every credible lead, and determining whether anyone else could still be held accountable." https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op-eds/4619338/epstein-files-demand-investigation-not-damage-control/

The Epstein files demand investigation, not damage control

The Epstein files are evidence, not a public relations problem. The next attorney general should treat them that way.

washingtonexaminer.com

This year, our #PreventionEducation students impressed us with their curiosity, compassion, & thoughtful discussions! Thank you to the schools & students who allow us to have open & honest conversations about #consent, healthy relationships, and building a future free from sexual harm. 👏