Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) envisions our community free from all forms of sexual exploitation and seeks to achieve that by addressing the culture, institutions, and individuals that perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual violence. Our work includes prevention, policy reform, community engagement, and legal services. CAASE is the only legal services provider in Illinois solely focused on serving survivors of sexual violence, and our services are free. CAASE’s direct legal services include victims’ rights advocacy within the context of the criminal justice system, civil legal representation using a variety of Illinois laws, and protection of the panoply of other legal rights that victims have in the context of their schooling, their workplace, and their housing.

PILI Fellows with CAASE will be integrated members of the legal team, contributing to the day-to-day operations of the organization and staff. Fellows will participate in many aspects of individual cases, both in the criminal justice system and through litigation in civil court. They may participate in settlement negotiations, draft court documents, interview and consult with clients, and present cases in court through Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 and under the supervision of a CAASE attorney. Fellows will also complete legal research on Illinois criminal and civil law related to protective orders, nonconsensual dissemination, employment law, Title IX, the Gender Violence Act, and other relevant topics. Training, mentoring, and supervision will be provided by CAASE attorneys.

This agency is approved to host Graduate Fellows.