A disturbing distinction

Population-wise, Utah ranks 34th in the nation, according to the 2006 Census estimates. But in terms of sexual violence, the number of reported incidents here ranks 13th in the nation per capita. What a disturbing distinction.

Last week, victims of sexual violence and their advocates gathered at Library Square to help raise awareness of the incidence of sexual violence in Utah. It's a highly significant problem. Statistics tell us one in three women can expect to be a victim of sexual violence in their lifetime, most of them before age 18.

In recent days, there have been a number of highly disturbing cases in the news regarding sexual violence against women and children.

• A former first-grade teacher stands accused of molesting 11 of his students, 10 of them female.

• An 18-year-old has been charged with criminal homicide and aggravated sexual assault in connection with the alleged attempted rape and gunshot slaying of his 15-year-old girlfriend. After she refused to have sexual intercourse with him in front of others at a small party, he shot her, police said.

• On Friday, a Bountiful jury was deliberating the sentence of an 18-year-old man in the rape and stabbing death of his 22-year-old youth counselor. The defendant was 17 years old when the crime occurred.

The gathering at Library Square, which featured T-shirts hanging on a makeshift clothesline, depicted the stories of Utah women who have fallen victim to sexual violence in recent years. In most cases of sexual violence, the victim knows the perpetrator. That can make it very difficult for victims to come forward.

But Utah's high number of reported cases can be viewed another way. Utah's police, prosecution and advocacy community work hard to bring perpetrators to justice and to ensure victims receive needed support. The advocacy community also has been very active in recent years attempting to change how the community views the crimes of sexual abuse and rape. They are crimes of violence. Imagine the community outrage if Utah had one of the highest homicide rates in the United States.

We hope the rally at Library Square will help to raise awareness about sexual violence. These crimes, in particular, require a community response.