Bolder Way Forward for Utah

Child Sexual Abuse                                                                                            A Bolder Way Forward Logo

The Child Sexual Abuse spoke is focused on dramatically decreasing the incidents of child sexual abuse in the state of Utah, as well as supporting those who have survived such abuse no matter their current age. The statistics tell us that thousands of Utah children—approximately 1 in 7—are sexually abused each year. Freeing individuals and society from child sexual abuse and its lasting impacts is one of the most important efforts that Utahns need to embrace to ensure residents experience safety and security—a basic human right. This spoke is part of the SAFE Coalition, which seeks to change Utahns’ perceptions of child sexual abuse and move them to act. Spoke leaders and affiliates believe that working together, we can protect Utah’s most valuable resource—its children. To learn more, check out the resource box below.

Spoke Leaders

Chris Yadon

Chris Yadon

Managing Director, Saprea
LinkedIn Profile

Chris Yadon is the Managing Director of Saprea. His specialties are operational efficiency, systems and process implementation, growth strategy, and market development and penetration. 

Saprea
Prevent Child Abuse Utah

Laurieann Thorpe

Laurieann Thorpe

Executive Director, PCA Utah
LinkedIn Profile

Laurieann Thorpe is the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Utah. She guides, directs, and oversees this nonprofit organization that works to end child abuse and to support stronger families in Utah. 

Heather Stewart

Heather Stewart

Deputy Director, CJC Program

Heather Stewart is the Deputy Director of the Utah Children’s Justice Center Program. She manages the statewide forensic interview curriculum/training program, and provides consultation and expert witness services to prosecutors and child protection attorneys in Utah.

Utah Children's Justice Center

Malouf Foundation

Jake Neeley

Jake Neeley

Director, Malouf Foundation
LinkedIn Profile

Jake Neeley is the Executive Director of the Malouf Foundation. He oversees the strategic development and general management of company initiatives, focusing on program development and evaluation. 

Bold Vision & Goals

To make Utah a place where more girls and women can thrive, the Child Sexual Abuse spoke leaders and partners have crafted the vision and goals below. 

Vision: To significantly reduce child sexual abuse in the state of Utah. 

Goals: 

  1. Change Utahns’ agreement (understanding and perceptions) in the following areas: [Metric Dashboard]
    1. In your immediate community (e.g., neighborhood, family, faith, club, business), child sexual abuse is a problem. [Increase agreement by 15% by 2026 and 30% by 2030]
    2. Child sexual abuse is preventable. [Increase agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]
    3. Child sexual abuse is more prevalent in Utah than the national average. [Increase agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]
    4. I know where to find resources to help prevent child sexual abuse. [Increase agreement by 10% by 2026 and 20% by 2030]. 
  2. Pass public policies aligned with best practices and research shown to prevent and reduce child sexual abuse. [Metric Dashboard]
  3. Conduct at least two academic comprehensive studies about child sexual abuse in Utah by 2030, to include (but not limited to): [Metric Dashboard
    1. The percentage of Utahns who understand that healthy relationships can mitigate the negative impacts of child sexual abuse.
    2. The percentage of Utahns who understand the potential long-term negative effects of child sexual abuse. 
  4. Expand child sexual abuse prevention education in Utah by connecting individual schools to providers/curriculum options, reaching 50% of elementary schools by 2026 and 100% by 2030. [Metric Dashboard]

Thriving Statement: Women and girls thrive when they have autonomy over their bodies and do not experience any type of child sexual abuse.

Partners


Malouf Foundation


Prevent Child Abuse Utah

Saprea

The Utah Coalition For Protecting Childhood

Utah Children’s Justice Center Program

Voices for Utah Children


The Policy Project


Adair Evans, LLC


Family Haven


GenerationAll

Working Group Leaders

  • Events: Sawsha Turpin (Community Advocate) & Pam Peeler (Event Planner, Saprea)
  • Grassroots Awareness: Karina Brown (Policy Analyst, Cache County) & Lindsay Butrum (Policy Implementation/Grants Manager, The Policy Project)
  • Grassroots Policy: Taryn N. Evans (Attorney & Founding Partner, Adair Evans, LLC)
  • Marketing: Schae Richards (Public Relations Specialist, Malouf)
  • Organizational Outreach: Janelle Christensen (Executive Director, Family Haven) & Cara Baldree (Educator/Child Advocate)
  • Research & Data: TBD

 What You Can Do

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Explore information and resources on child sexual
abuse in Utah. See the Resources section on this page.

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Share a resource you found helpful on child sexual abuse with at least one person each month. You can do this in person or through phone, text, email, or social media.

school icon

Ask a local elementary school if it is providing child sexual abuse prevention education for their students; if not, encourage school leaders to do so. Work with the Child Sexual Abuse Spoke leaders to get them connected with an approved provider.



Get Engaged: We encourage everyone to learn more about child sexual abuse and to utilize the educational prevention and healing resources available. You can get involved by signing up for our email newsletter,  participating in a working group, and attending and inviting others to related events including the annual SAFE Symposium. Reach out to our Spoke Coordinator to get connected!

Alexa Simon

 

Alexa Simon

Spoke Coordinator
LinkedIn Profile

alexabsimon@gmail.com