I am writing this petition with urgency because on October 30, 2025, my 7-year-old son—a nonverbal autistic child—was physically assaulted by a Special Education Classroom Assistant (SECA) during school hours at a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) school.

The school year prior, he was also physically assaulted by a bus attendant while being transported to and from school.

Because my son is nonverbal, he could not tell me what happened. Like many parents of nonverbal children, I was forced to rely entirely on the adults and systems entrusted with his care to act with integrity and accountability. 

Following the October 30, 2025 incident, I attended a meeting with the school principal, assistant principal, my child’s teacher, and the school social worker.

During this meeting, I was told the school would follow proper procedures, including required reporting of suspected abuse.

However, the abuse was not reported by the school as required.

Instead, I was forced to file the report myself through the appropriate oversight channels after realizing the school had chosen to protect itself rather than prioritize transparency, accountability, and child safety.

In Illinois, school personnel are mandated reporters.

When a school fails to report suspected abuse, it is not a procedural oversight—it is a breach of duty that places vulnerable children at continued risk.

Nonverbal children—especially those with autism and developmental disabilities—are among the most vulnerable students in our education system.

They cannot verbally report abuse or neglect. Are often educated and transported in isolated environments. They depend entirely on adults to advocate for them.

When abuse occurs without cameras and without mandatory reporting enforcement, children are silenced twice:

first by their disability, and then by the system meant to protect them.

Cameras protect children, staff, and families by providing transparency, deterring abuse, and ensuring incidents are addressed promptly and accurately. This is not about punishment—it is about prevention and safety.

I am asking CPS to take this necessary step to protect students who cannot advocate for themselves. By signing this petition, you are standing up for vulnerable children and helping ensure that no family has to endure the fear and uncertainty of not knowing what happens when their child is entrusted to a school’s care.

Please sign and share this petition to help make CPS a model of safety and accountability for nonverbal children.