Shaping Futures: Strategies to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
January 29, 2026 | 9 AM - 5 PM
National Louis University
Uniting community members through collaboration to end sexual harm against or by young people.
The Chicago Prevention Alliance is proud to present its 2nd Annual Symposium, Shaping Futures: Strategies to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse. This one-day event unites prevention experts, educators, advocates, and community members to explore evidence-based approaches for preventing child sexual abuse. Featuring keynote speaker Ashley-Lauren Elrod and interactive breakout sessions, this symposium will provide participants with culturally informed tools to create safer environments for youth and empower communities to protect them. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available.Â
Symposium Agenda
For event-related questions or assistance, please contact events@chicagocac.org
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Ashley-Lauren Elrod
Ashley-Lauren Elrod is a nationally recognized survivor-turned social impact changemaker transforming how communities protect and advocate for children and survivors. As an Advisory Board Member for the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center with partnerships with the National Children’s Alliance, United Nations, International Justice Mission, and more, she champions stronger rights, trauma-informed systems, and survivor-centered prevention.
She is the founder of Visionary Woman Productions and The Reclaim Healing Institute, where she leads Maya’s Magic Word, a first-of-its-kind interactive early-childhood abuse-prevention program teaching children as young as two the language and confidence to set boundaries and stay safe. As well as bridge the gaps of big conversations between adults and children, to change the course of how our society speaks of very real fears in a trauma-informed, empowering way.
Ashley-Lauren’s advocacy has reached national audiences through award-winning campaigns, including her Emmy-nominated and Cannes Golden Lion–winning partnership with Dove on the Kids Online Safety Act. Across media, education, and community leadership, she is known for transforming lived experience into powerful frameworks that heal, empower, and protect the next generation.
The Chicago Prevention Alliance unites prevention educators through collaboration to end sexual harm against or by young people.
Mission & Vision
Mission: The Chicago Prevention Alliance unites prevention educators through collaboration to end sexual harm against or by young people. Â
Vision: We envision a Chicago where no young person is sexually harmed.
Core Beliefs
The Chicago Prevention Alliance:
- Believes research, evaluation and data should inform primary prevention strategies.
- Seeks to utilize complementary and diverse skill sets already embodied within its member organizations, and will partner with local schools, youth-serving organizations, advocates and political entities charged with ensuring safe and equitable education and programming for children and youth.
- Seeks to engage youth and survivor feedback directly to inform our prevention strategies.
- Uses its collective voice to amplify our individual advocacy efforts, and seeks to create innovative and effective primary prevention strategies collectively that can be scaled to a larger audience.
- The work of the Chicago Prevention Alliance enriches and complements the services provided by its members and is not a replacement of individual services provided.
For more information about Chicago Prevention Alliance, please contact Laura Daily, Prevention and Coalition Coordinator, at info@chicagocac.org
Steering members indicated by *
A Long Walk Home
Apna Ghar
Between Friends Chicago –Â Teen Dating Violence Prevention
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) *
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
Chicago Women’s Health Center
Communities In Schools of Chicago
Imagination Theater *
JCFS Chicago – Response for Teens
KIDS HAVE HOPE
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, The Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Sexuality Education Program*
Mujeres Latinas en Accion *
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Prevent Child Abuse Illinois
Resilience *
Sarah’s Inn
Selah Freedom
Youth Outreach Services
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago *
Pay Chicago Prevention Alliance annual dues here. Questions? Please contact Laura Daily, Prevention and Coalition Coordinator, at ldaily@chicagocac.org.
Â