A Call for Survivor Story Submissions:

Educator Sexual Abuse (Illinois)

Since the founding of Parents Against Child Sex Abuse (PAXA) to our now broader umbrella name, KIDS TOO -  Educator Sexual Abuse continues to be one of priorities in the fight for child protection.

From our dedicated work in resources and programs, policy is by far the most important approach of action we know to take to create change in the place that should be one of the safest environments for our children: schools. 

With Illinois being the home of the fourth largest school district in the country, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), recent years of high scrutiny within CPS cases of educator sexual abuse, have shown us the negligence that there is in protecting our children in schools. Our participation in policy work, such as Faith’s law and other pending Illinois bills, is one of many that has brought a magnitude of attention to the epidemic of educator sexual abuse. 

Through our work, Survivors of educator sexual abuse have reached out to us with their stories.  These stories give meaning to our committed efforts in raising awareness of educator sexual abuse and demonstrate that our work is a catalyst for change for child protection in schools where a child’s safety should always be a guarantee.

We want to hear your story. Help us use your voice to educate and prevent educator sexual abuse to protect children everywhere.

Note: KIDS TOO intends to use stories provided to educate parents, advocates, and lawmakers. A staff member will contact the individual should more be needed from the individual’s submission.

Survivor Stories

Diana

Diana (she/they) currently serves as the Prevention of Sexual Abuse Compliance Manager and Education Coordinator for a long-term foster care program in Illinois. Prior to her non-profit work, she was a high school counselor for six years in the Chicagoland area. Her educational background includes a graduate degree in education and a graduate degree in environmental studies. When she is not advocating for children, mental health, and the environment, she enjoys roller skating, cooking, being outdoors, and learning new things. 

Ashley

Ashley is a determined survivor advocate who is on a mission to keep children safe in schools. She is an entrepreneur of a successful small business, wife, and loving mother of two fierce young girls. After enduring sexual abuse at the hands of her teacher in high school, it took 10 years for her to come forward as a victim and a survivor. Continuing through her journey to heal, she has made it her mission to speak out about educator sexual abuse. She is passionate about bringing this topic to light and educating the country. She is currently taking action in her home state of Indiana, working with legislators to end passing the trash and prevent abuse to the children in her home state. She wants to empower and encourage all survivors to come forward and let their voices be heard.

Tara

Meet Tara Walker Lyons our 2020 PAXA Parent! She’s a survivor, mother and advocate. At age 12, Tara bravely shared her story and exposed her abuser to end the abuse. She now advocates for child sexual abuse prevention and encourages survivors of abuse not to feel shame. She also serves as a counselor to not only survivors but abusers themselves.

Faith

Faith Colson is our 2021 PAXA Parent! She is a mother, survivor, and advocate for child protection. Growing out of her personal experience as the survivor of educator sexual abuse as a high school student, Faith worked for two years to get Faith's Law passed in Illinois to better protect students from abuse in schools.