PROMISE - Partnership to Rescue Our Minors from Sexual Exploitation

PROMISE in Chicago

In 2004, The Salvation Army developed the PROMISE model (Partnership to Rescue our Minors from Sexual Exploitation) to combat the sexual trafficking of our children. In January of 2005, the PROMISE model was launched in Chicago. The model includes the formation of a task force which engages in initiating the four main provisions of PROMISE. The provisions are: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention, and Service Delivery. To insure a holistic approach, specific strategies for implementing these provisions are developed by PROMISE members who represent the social service, education, legal, judicial, healthcare, and law enforcement sectors of our community.

New Research

Two new research studies on the harms of the Chicago sex trade are available. See Resources to read the findings on interviews with male customers and young women in the sex trade who experience violence and coercion.

Assistance for Victims

Predator Accountability Act

This legislation allows persons who have been or are subjected to the sex trade in Illinois to seek civil damages and remedies from individuals and/or entities that profited from or maintained them in the sex trade. More (28KB pdf) »
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless

The Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Act

 The Illinois Crime Victim Compensation Program can provide up to $27,000 worth of assistance for financial losses incurred due to violent crime. More (148KB pdf) »
Illinois Attorney General - Helping Crime Victims

Legal Representation for Survivors

The Justice Project Against Sexual Harm (JusticePASH) provides low-income survivors of sexual assault and exploitation with low or no cost civil legal representation, policy and media advocacy. Learn more.

New announcements

• Training will be offered to help understand,identify and respond to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of our Children and Youth. On Wednesday July 15, 2009 The Salvation Army PROMISE program and the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center will sponsor a full day of training to assist clinicians in understanding, identifying and responding to the commercial sexual exploitation of children and youth. Participants will increase their knowledge of how to recognize commercial sexual exploitation, detect risk factors, effectively engage with victims, and learn about the Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma model, a nationally acclaimed, evidence based treatment model. See Upcoming Events.
  This fantastic learning opportunity will take place at the beautiful conference and learning center located at U.S. Cellular Field.
  Presenters include:
  • Cheryl Lanktree, PhD, Executive Director
    Miller Children’s Abuse & Violence Intervention Center
  • Seth Donovan, Founder Prax(us)
  • Brenda Myers-Powell, Co-Founder Dream Catchers Organization
    Register on-line.
• Buy the DVD. As part of our fight against human trafficking The Salvation Army is proud to support Holly, an award winning,captivating film, now available on DVD. View the flyer (369KB pdf).
  
• Malia Designs Supports PROMISE
  Malia Designs, a Chicago company with a mission to combat human trafficking, has generously agreed to donate 15% of any purchase to The Salvation Army PROMISE program when customers inform them that the proceeds should be directed to PROMISE. Malia Designs sells products such as bags, wallets and accessories made by non-profit organizations that employ disadvantaged people in developing countries as well as small family producers. To check out their beautiful products visit http://www.maliadesigns.com. Be sure to indicate the your purchase is for PROMISE by sending Malia Designs an email at lia@maliadesigns.com.
• The Salvation Army PROMISE program sponsored a half day presentation and discussion on children’s rights, sexual exploitation and child sex tourism on March 20, 2009 at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Nursing. Presenters included Professor Jonathan Todres, Georgia State University College of Law, Carol Smolenski, Executive Director of ECPAT-USA and Amaya Renobales, Director of ECPAT-USA Protect Children in Tourism Project.
• PROMISE has formed a long-term partnership with Fair Fund in D.C. in an attempt to introduce their Tell Your Friends prevention curriculum to a select number of Chicago high schools.
• See previous announcements.
• Updated 5/16/09