April 28, 2020
April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) which provides the opportunity to address and bring awareness to these egregious acts of violence, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking.
In 2018, the FBI reported 55.5 rapes reported per 100,000 in Utah, and nearly half a million victims of assault reported every year in the nation. However, sexual assault is largely unreported crime. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) estimates that only 230 out of every 1,000 assaults are reported to law enforcement.
This month, and throughout the year, the Utah Attorney General’s Office remains committed to combatting sexual assault in Utah. We stand with survivors of sexual assault and are devoted to ensuring the safety of our communities. Our staff works tirelessly to stop sexual assault and bring perpetrators to justice.
During the COVID-19 crisis, resources are still available for Utahns who have been sexually assaulted. Rape kits are still being collected at hospitals across the state, with medical care and trauma support available 24/7. Rape crisis centers continue to operate remotely. If you have been sexually assaulted, you are not alone in this. Remember, social distancing doesn’t mean you are distanced from help.
If you or someone you know is in a violent relationship or has been sexually assaulted, please call the Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 1-888-421-1100.
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