One in five Utah children sexually abused before turning 18

One in five children in Utah will be sexually abused before turning 18, according to data from Prevent Child Abuse Utah.

For many parents, sitting down with their kids at a young age to talk about sexual abuse can be difficult.

Staff at the Washington County Children’s Justice Center (WCCJC) said that it’s crucial for parents to learn how to approach topics like consent.

Director Kristy Pike said child sex abuse is pervasive, affecting those across all socioeconomic and racial lines.

In Washington County, child sex abuse rates mirror the state and national average.

In 2018, WCCJC served 364 child survivors, and eighty-four percent of them knew their alleged perpetrator.