Child Sexual Abuse Prevention at the Forefront of Statewide SAFE Symposium

On October 25, 2024 - Earlier this week the third annual SAFE Child Symposium convened at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper, Utah, bringing together advocates, research organizations, nonprofits, professionals, and community leaders to address the ongoing crisis of child sexual abuse. This year's symposium focused on mobilizing community engagement, raising public awareness, and fostering stronger organizational partnerships to create effective solutions. The event delved into numerous pressing issues, such as prevention education in schools, the rise of generative AI and online grooming through social media, and ways to amplify survivors’ voices and normalize the statewide discourse around this critical issue.

The need for such discussions has never been more urgent. According to the Utah Women in Leadership Project (UWLP), nearly 13% of Utahns report being molested before the age of 18, and an alarming 78.7% of sexual assault victims were abused as minors, with 34.9% of them experiencing abuse before the age of 10. Most child sexual abuse cases involve perpetrators who are family members. Beyond the emotional toll, the economic impact of child sexual abuse is staggering. Nationally, child sexual abuse costs the U.S. over $9.3 billion annually. In Utah alone, the financial burden of all forms of sexual violence approaches $5 billion every year, averaging around $1,700 per resident. Yet, in the most recent UWLP study, Utah allocated just $16.5 million to support survivors, a small fraction compared to the over $92 million spent on individuals who committed sexual violence. Prevention efforts received a mere $569,000, underscoring a troubling gap in funding.

Utah’s children face abuse by perpetrators from within their family and community circles, but also a growing threat from online predators exploiting AI technology. A troubling trend is AI-generated sextortion, where predators create fake nude images of children or teens and demand money to keep them private. This highlights the urgent need for vigilance in protecting children from the evolving dangers of technology.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received more than 26,718 reports of financial sextortion, up from 10,731 reports in 2022. In Utah, a joint public service announcement from Homeland Security and the FBI detailed that between October 2021 and March 2023, more than 13,000 cases of online financial sextortion of minors were reported, involving 12,600 victims, most of whom were boys. According to the FBI these incidents have led to at least 20 suicides.

Despite alarming statistics, public awareness of child sexual abuse is low, with 40.8% not acknowledging it as a significant issue. This highlights the need for initiatives like the SAFE Symposium to shift perceptions and promote action.

During the symposium, the program featured Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, known for her advocacy against gender-based violence and reform efforts in her country. Also speaking was James Dixon, a renowned author, motivational speaker, and survivor, Lacey Byrd and Caroline Ashton, who shared compelling accounts of hope and healing.

Several Utah-based organizations were also represented, each offering valuable resources, solutions, and ideas for addressing child sexual abuse in the state. Saprea, The Malouf Foundation, Prevent Child Abuse Utah, Policy Project, Utah Children’s Justice Center Program, and Utah Coalition for Protecting Children were among the many groups that shared their insights on policy change and advocacy. Initiatives like A Bolder Way Forward, the Utah Women and Leadership Project, and Generation All also highlighted the need for intergenerational collaboration and policy reform to protect Utah’s children. Organizations such as Voices for Utah Children, Family Haven and Adair Evans Law emphasized the importance of community engagement to address the root causes of abuse.

“At Saprea, we are proud to stand alongside our partners, resolute in our mission to confront child sexual abuse head-on in all its forms and provide healing pathways for survivors,” said Matt Hartvigsen, Managing Director of Saprea. “It’s imperative that we foster a culture of awareness, education, and prevention. By uniting businesses, educational organizations, communities, and individuals, we can empower children and caregivers, break the silence, and dismantle the structures that allow abuse to persist. Together, we will create a future where every child can grow up safe.”

The SAFE Coalition’s initiatives are focused on changing Utah’s perception of child sexual abuse incidents across Utah while offering comprehensive support to survivors of all ages. With approximately 1 in 7 Utah children experiencing sexual abuse each year, addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring safety and security for all residents. By changing public perceptions and encouraging collective action, the coalition aims to protect Utah’s most precious resource—its children.