I am a sexual assault survivor. In November 2019, I was raped. The legal justice system in the State of Utah recently concluded its process, accepting a plea deal for the defendant to plead guilty to three Class A Misdemeanors for sexual battery. Originally, he faced first degree felonies for rape, forcible sexual abuse and object rape. His sentence? No jail or prison time - merely three years of probation is his sentence. 

This is not justice.

Utah's consent laws need urgent reform. As it stands now, they allow perpetrators of sexual assault to escape with minimal punishment while survivors are left grappling with lifelong trauma. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), only five out of every 1,000 rapists will end up in prison in the United States - this statistic is starkly reflected in my own experience.

We must push for change that ensures survivors' experiences are taken seriously and that perpetrators face appropriate consequences. We need laws that prioritize survivor safety over perpetrator convenience; laws that reflect an understanding of the devastating impact of sexual violence on victims' lives.

Utah’s Constitution lists victim’s rights, but they are not enforceable, nor can a victim file an appeal in a criminal case if the Court, prosecutor, or defense attorneys violate these rights. My right to a speedy resolution was completely ignored because my rapist was fine waiving his right to a speedy trial. Defense attorneys use this to drag cases on endlessly, in the hopes that a victim will give up or quit. This is unacceptable. No “right” for a victim will have any real meaning until we empower victims with the right to enforce their Utah Constitutional rights. 

By signing this petition you're supporting an urgent review and reform of Utah's consent laws relating to sexual assault cases and providing for victim rights in Utah to be enforceable - because no survivor should have their pain minimized by inadequate legislation or lenient sentencing practices, nor should a victim be left powerless when the Court, prosecutor, or defense attorneys violate a victim’s Utah Constitutional rights. 

I started this petition "Reform Utah's Consent Laws for Sexual Assault Cases and Make Victim’s Rights Enforceable" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name and/or share the link with other Utah residents that might support my efforts to work with our legislators to reform our laws to better protect sexual assault victims.   This petition is personal to me—as some of you know I was raped in 2019.  The criminal case just reached its conclusion last week—with the way our consent laws are written for sexual assault crimes, the Salt Lake District Attorney’s office and prosecutors on my case were not willing to take the case to trial because of their perceived risk of acquittal. My rapist was able to plead guilty to 3 Class A Misdemeanors for Sexual Battery (he was charged with 3 first degree felonies).  He will serve no time in jail or prison and will not be on the sex offender registry. He just has a 3 year probation period with a private probation service.  I am gathering names and support to bring to our legislature to bring awareness, force discussions on how we can improve our laws for sexual assault victims, and hopefully bring about change at our next legislative session.