April kicks off sexual assault awareness month, highlighting Utah resources

If you or someone you know needs help, call the toll-free Statewide 24-hour Sexual Violence Crisis and Information Hotline at 1-888-421-1100. Click here for a list of Rape Crisis Resources in Utah.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Spring has long represented hope and the beginning of a new life. It’s a season of rebirth to shed away the harsh gloomy cold of winter.

So it feels poetic that April, the first full month of spring, is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, giving survivors a chance to share their stories and begin their healing journeys.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill called the scope of the sexual violence problem “overwhelming” on Monday, April 1 when he addressed a gathering of reporters alongside Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera, Rape Recovery Center Executive Director Sonya Martinez, and sexual assault survivor Erin van Berkel.

Gill pointed toward statistics from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, which indicates one in five women experience rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of men experience some form of sexual violence. A 2022 study found that rape is the only violent crime in Utah that is above the national average.

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“This is a crime that leaves emotional scars long after the body has healed,” said Gill, later adding, “This is a national crisis. This is a local crisis. This is a crisis that we have a responsibility in. We have to use our voices to prevent sexual assault.”

To that end, Gill said it’s important to believe survivors, challenge victim blaming and respect boundaries that people have set.

It’s also critical for survivors to know they are not alone.

Utah has several resources available to those who have been sexually assaulted or been victim to any kind of sexual abuse, including the Rape Recovery Center. For 50 years, the Rape Recovery Center has served the Salt Lake community and survivors. They connect victims to advocacy groups, help those in need navigate the criminal justice system and have a team of trained in-house therapists ready to lend an ear.

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Martinez said the center’s sole purpose is to support survivors of sexual violence as well as educate the community and work toward the prevention of sexual violence. And they have an open-door policy to help achieve that goal.

“While we focus on Salt Lake and Tooele, we don’t turn any survivors away,” said Martinez. “For anybody who has been assaulted who may hear this message today, the rape recovery center hears you and we believe you. You are always welcome in our doors, on the phone or via email and we will always be here to support you.”

Van Berkel said without the help of the Rape Recovery Center, she is not sure she would have gotten through her sexual assault four years ago. To kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Van Berkel spoke about the importance of speaking out. She said she was hesitant at first but having a support system of friends, family, and the resources at the Rape Recovery Center made it easier.

“It’s not easy but it’s worth it to be able to tell your story and receive care and support,” she said.

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She explained that in most cases friends and family, while supportive, are ill-equipped to deal with the heavy burden and trauma. The trained professionals both at the Rape Recovery Center and with law enforcement can help connect survivors to the resources they need to start or continue their healing. This is part of why Sheriff Rivera said it’s crucial for victims to report what occurred to law enforcement.

“Everyone is trained on how to deal with these types of cases. They know who to bring into the situation to ensure it’s properly reported,” said Rivera. “Law enforcement is trained to interact with sexual assault survivors and they can also connect you to a trained advocate.”

Rivera did not sugarcoat the process, saying it would be difficult. Investigators will ask questions and hold interviews to gain as much information as they can in the hopes of holding the perpetrator accountable and seeing justice served. She said some of the questions may feel uncomfortable but officers are professionals and are prepared to listen to what happened.

Still, Gill said law enforcement has a ways to go to help survivors feel safe. He said the old line of questioning – such as asking what the victim was wearing and if they were drinking – did contribute to making victims feel unsafe and undermined their voice. He said only four out of 100 victims get access to accountability and justice.

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“We have to do better than that. We must do better than that,” said Gill, adding that Utah law enforcement is learning and bettering their systems to aid sexual assault survivors. “But I want you to know that we are committed to supporting you. We will advocate for you, we will fight for you.”

Sheriff Rivera said survivors can make reports of sexual assault with law enforcement by contacting their local agency directly or calling 911. In addition, sexual assaults can be reported while receiving medical care at hospitals through nurses and doctors. Resources such as the Rape Recovery Center can help survivors make these reports.

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