The bulk of Utah's time and money is spent on housing and treatment for sex offenders after the crime happens. Local and state government need to be focused on preventing sexual violence in the first place, she said.

"The state is responsible to protect its citizenry from sex offenders and crimes," Stringfellow says. "Although holding convicted sex offenders accountable and providing treatment is critical, the system needs to work to incorporate victims' rights as well."

And the state must make services accessible to victims when an assault does occur and maintain a system that encourages victims to report the crimes and prosecutors to follow through with locking up the offender.

"In my opinion, the state continues to spend too little time and money training peace officers across the state to respond effectively to rape and sexual assault, too little money making the community aware of the public services that are available if they are victimized, and lastly too little — no — state funds are directed toward victim treatment."

The prevention of sexual violence is an area where Utah is "severely lacking," said Alana Kindness, Utah Coalition Against Sexual Violence executive director. Her coalition hopes to change that next year. Kindness said it plans to submit a proposal for money in next year's state budget.

"It's an incredibly important public health issue," she said. "It's an incredibly important public safety issue."

· · · · ·

Julie is trying to change her language and her outlook toward herself. It is still a struggle.

"I used to say all the time, 'I'm messed up,' and I try not to say that anymore," she says. "I'm not messed up. I just have issues, and who doesn't."

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E-mail: lucy@desnews.com; romboy@desnews.com