Elyssa’s Mission® provides resources to help prevent teen suicide.

The community-based organization was founded in 2006 in honor of Elyssa, a bright, gifted and outgoing Chicagoland girl who bravely battled post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Elyssa’s Mission® provides hands-on support to area public and private schools in order to educate students, staff, parents and guardians on how to recognize and assist those teens most at-risk. We have helped educate over one million students, staff and parents since inception.

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Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

   1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)

   1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE)

Text: HOME to 741741

988 Lifeline

800.656.HOPE (4673)
Get connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling

4990 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61108
(815)-636-9811
Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling is a group of caring professionals who provide 24-hour counseling for victims of sexual assault and abuse in Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties.  

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting/Hotline – IL Dept. of Children and Family Services
Anyone may report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Phone: (800) 25-ABUSE (2-2873), or 217-524-2606

Erin’s Law was passed in 2011 and requires all public schools to implement age-appropriate, prevention-oriented sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education for students in early childhood through 12th grades. All District 122 employees are state-mandated reporters and are required to report allegations of abuse and/or neglect to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Parents can help students recognize and respond to unsafe situations. Parents should be available and children should know that no topic is “off limits” for discussion with parents. Additionally, parents should:

• Talk to children about touching safety, private areas, and secrets

• Empower children to say “no”, even to non-sexual touches if it makes the child uncomfortable

• Be aware of who their child is spending time with

• Monitor their child’s use of technology, as well as watch and listen to children’s behavior while on devices.

 
If you do not want your student to participate in age-appropriate, prevention-oriented sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education, please contact your student's school.

Be aware of warning signs of abuse:

• Sudden nightmares or sleep problems 

• Mood swings: rage, fear, withdrawal 

• Changes in eating habits, such as loss of appetite 

• New or unusual fears or specific people or places 

• Changes in school performance or attendance 

• Suddenly has money, toys or gifts without reason 

• Reference to self as dirty, repulsive, or bad 

• Lack of personal care or hygiene 

• Risk-taking behaviors 

• Inappropriate sexual behaviors

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Parents can learn more about sexual abuse and how to support your child through the ISBE resource guide, Faith’s Law: Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention, or through the resources linked below.

6:60-AP1, E1 - Notice to Parents/Guardians of Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Education

LOCAL AND STATE AGENCIES

• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
  24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873 or TTY 1-800-358-5117)

• Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois

• ICASA (Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault)

• Prevent Child Abuse Illinois

NATIONAL AGENCIES

• Erin’s Law

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
  Deaf and Hard of Hearing (24 Hour) 1-800-759-8331 TTY PIN: 877-951-6528, 1-800-787-3224

• National Child Abuse Helpline

• Stop It Now!  

• National Domestic Violence Hotline

• Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)