Saprea’s Statement on S.B. 205

The Utah State House of Representatives voted and passed S.B. 205, the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Amendments. This bill ensures that K-6 students would receive appropriate and effective sexual abuse prevention education contracted by the Utah State Board of Education. The bill now moves to the governor's desk for his signature.

Saprea and The Safe Child Project believe that participation in prevention education cuts the likelihood of child sexual abuse in half. Less than 11% of Utah students currently receive child sexual abuse prevention curriculum under the previous law.

“Prevention is the key to stop child sexual abuse from continuing to harm our communities. Saprea will continue to offer healing resources for those who have experienced the trauma of child sexual abuse but as a state, we must tackle this problem upstream and give children and families the tools they need to combat this scourge, now,” said Chris Yadon, managing director of Saprea. “The prevention curriculum that is being offered is sound and age-appropriate and will do much to protect an entire generation of children from the lifelong trauma that child sexual abuse causes.”

Utah schools will assign trained professionals including counselors, social workers, therapists, and approved organizations to present the curriculum.

“The impacts of child sexual abuse can be devastating and persist well into adulthood,” says Betsy Kanarowski PhD, LCSW. “We know that education works, and it is imperative that we provide children in Utah with quality education to recognize and prevent sexual abuse.”

Sapera is a nonprofit committed to liberating individuals and society from child sexual abuse and its lasting impacts. Children impacted by sexual abuse are more likely to drop out of high school, with rates up to 40% higher than the general population.

“Saprea is proud to support Senate Bill 205 and all the good it will do within our state,” says Matthew Hartvigsen, executive director of Saprea. “No child should endure the trauma of child sexual abuse. We remain committed to advocating for honest and open discussions around this difficult issue to raise awareness and reduce stigma.”

Saprea empowers survivors, parents, and community members with the knowledge to protect, heal, and educate. To learn more about our prevention resources, please visit saprea.org.