LEGAL HELP FOR WORKPLACE SURVIVORS

Providing free legal representation to survivors of workplace sexual assault or harassment

Please note: Our legal intake is temporarily closed for employment law cases.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted or sexually harassed by a co-worker or supervisor, you have options. Employees have the right to safe workplaces and you may be able to file a claim in federal court, state court, or Chicago if you are a resident of the city. The attorneys at CAASE can help you understand your options and the process for filing a complaint under many different laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance. 

Filing a complaint under one of these laws protects you against retaliation from your employer. It may also help you receive all or some of the following: 

  • Financial compensation – a monetary payment to the injured party to make up for money lost as a result of the harm.
  • Damages – a court award that tries to make the injured party whole. It can include reimbursement for intangible losses such as bodily pain, mental distress, and loss of pleasure in life.
  • Injunctive relief – a court order that tells your employer or harasser to either take or stop some action. 

It is important to note that most claims under these laws must be filed within 300 days of when the incident occurred. 

Navigating these laws can be complex and require important strategic decisions. CAASE can help! If you were harmed in Cook County, IL, and are aged 13+, contact us to learn more about your options and schedule a free consultation with an attorney. 

CAASE cannot accept cases involving criminal defense, divorce, custody, property in common or other family court issues, immigration, or cases that involve survivors who do not want to participate in a legal process, even if they are minors. If CAASE can’t assist you, we will try to connect you to another attorney and support resources.

Contact Us To Learn More

To learn more about our free legal services or schedule a consultation, please call our legal intake line at 773-244-2230, ext. 205 or email legal@caase.org. We’re available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. All personal information will be kept confidential. Please allow up to 72 hours for responses.

Our Legal Staff speaks Spanish and Portuguese. Translation services are also available in all languages.

Survivors’ Accommodations at Work

Survivors of any violent crime, including sexual violence, gender violence, or domestic violence, can receive reasonable accommodations from their employer under the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act. An accommodation is something that’s provided to make sure you can continue working comfortably. They vary from person to person because different survivors need different things. Some examples are shifting your work schedule so you do not have to see your perpetrator in the workplace, changing the locks on your office door, or giving you a new work phone number. Accommodations typically require at least a 48-hour notice to your employer, though there are exceptions.

Survivors of violent crimes are also entitled to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to seek medical attention, obtain counseling and other victim services, seek legal assistance, and make a safety plan. Your job is secure during this time.

CAASE can help you ask for accommodations from your employers and make sure your rights are protected. Contact us to learn more about your options at work and schedule a free consultation with an attorney.