ICASA Honors Ammons’ Leadership on Behalf of Sexual Assault Survivors

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Committed to her efforts in expanding sexual violence services and advocating for those affected by sexual assault, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, was recently awarded the 2024 Moxie Award from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Alliance (ICASA). 

“As vice-chair of the Women’s Caucus and honorary chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, I’ve seen and heard firsthand the crises that women in our communities, especially Black and Brown women, face on a daily basis,” said Ammons. “I’ve seen those same women be denied the quality of care and services they deserve to emotionally, mentally, and physically heal from something as terrorizing as becoming a victim of sexual violence.” 

Ammons was integral to expanding sexual violence services in her district and secured vital funding for Rape Advocacy, Counseling, & Education Services (RACES), a local rape crisis and advocacy center located in Champaign-Urbana. 

Following a dangerous budget shortfall caused by federal cuts to certified rape crisis centers across Illinois, Ammons collaborated with RACES and ICASA’s CEO, Carrie Ward, to secure state funding to offset the loss of federal funds for these crisis centers. With this secured funding, RACES can continue providing critical support and services to survivors of sexual violence without reducing care for central Illinoisians residing in Champaign, Douglas, Ford, and Piatt counties. 

“These centers are essential to providing life-changing care through safe environments that include free counseling, legal assistance, and public education and training on how we can combat sexual assault, abuse, and harassment in our community,” said Ammons. “We all know someone affected by this violence. Receiving this award is just a testament to my continued fight to ensure survivors have resources and health personnel they can count on for compassionate, comprehensive support.”