After being the victim of a sexual assault in 2021, Northwestern University undergraduate student Kaylyn Ahn set out on a journey to close a legal loophole in Illinois, regarding alcohol and substance consumption, that prevented prosecutors from pursuing a case against her aggressor.

Ahn drafted a bill to close the loophole and update the definition of consent in the state’s sexual assault law. Introduced into the Illinois General Assembly by Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights), the bill passed in 2022.

Since then, police departments across the state have been re-training officers in handling sexual assault cases, and thousands of previously unaddressed sexual assault cases are now eligible for prosecution.

Ahn has continued to be a vocal advocate for reforming sexual assault legislation, speaking at universities, fundraisers, and political events across the country.

In this episode, hosted once again by Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, we also hear from several other experts representing law enforcement, forensics, and victim advocacy centers- all discussing the complicated nuance of sexual assault prosecution, and how to better seek justice and peace for victims while retaining accountability and due process.

Intro and Outro narrated by Bill Kurtis.

Original Theme music by David Huizenga.

In 2002, at the age of 13, Alicia Kozakiewicz became the first known victim of an Internet luring and child abduction that received widespread media attention. Kozakiewicz had corresponded online with someone she thought to be a girl named "Christine". In reality, "Christine" was actually a 31-year-old man named Scott Tyree. Over the course of nearly a year, Tyree groomed the 13-year-old Alicia, before eventually kidnapping and trapping her in his basement dungeon, where he abused her while broadcasting everything on a live internet stream. Alicia miraculously survived thanks to an anonymous online tip that allowed law enforcement officials to track down Tyree's IP address and rescue Alicia.

In the years since, Alicia has become one of the most influential advocates for improved internet safety for children. She has been featured on a multitude of media outlets, and travels the country speaking to schools and pushing for improved legislation.

In this episode, Alicia will be joining our host, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, where they will discuss the issues surrounding internet safety for children with several other expert guests, including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Intro and outro narrated by Bill Kurtis.

Original theme music composed by David Huizenga.

For more information about Alicia's efforts to educate children and parents about internet safety and advance legislation to help, visit her website at aliciakozak.com. Her new book "The Internet Safety Guidebook: Protecting Kids in the Digital Age" was released in February, 2025 and is available now.