The Roots of Sexual Violence in Utah: What Every Utahn Should Know

A research‑grounded conversation unveiling the roots of sexual violence in Utah.

As Utahns, we pride ourselves on strong families, close‑knit communities, and deep moral commitment — yet our state continues to report higher‑than‑national‑average rates of rape, child sexual abuse, and other forms of gender‑based harm. A recently released report written by Dr. Susan R. Madsen notes, “sexual violence in Utah is not an anomaly… it is a patterned, predictable outcome of cultural norms, social systems, and power structures that shape how people understand gender, authority, and worth.” This webinar brings that reality into the light.

Join the Utah Women & Leadership Project for a critical statewide conversation on The Roots of Sexual Violence in Utah: A Framework for Understanding Harm. Dr. Susan R. Madsen will walk Utahns through the Utah Sexual Violence Pyramid, a five‑tier model that explains how attitudes, beliefs, norms, and systems create the conditions in which violence develops, escalates, and becomes normalized. As the report states, “violence grows from the ground up,” beginning with cultural beliefs and verbal expressions that are often minimized — yet form the foundation for harassment, coercion, assault, and even lethal violence.

To deepen the discussion, Dr. Madsen will be joined by Dr. Julie Valentine, one of Utah’s leading researchers on sexual assault and forensic nursing, as well as Liliana Olvera‑Arbon, the executive director of the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault. In addition, executive directors from direct serve providers throughout the state will also be invited to share their insights about the report and make recommendations on next steps.

Together, this webinar will explore:

• Why Utah’s violence rates remain high despite strong families and religious cohesion
• How cultural norms — including silence, stigma, and gendered expectations — unintentionally enable harm
• Why early behaviors matter and how “normalization is powerful” in shaping community responses
• What Utah’s frontline organizations are facing, and why consistent, adequate funding is essential
• How faith communities, educators, policymakers, and everyday Utahns can help shift the conditions that allow violence to persist

This webinar is not about blame. It is about understanding. It is about courage. And it is about creating a safer future for women, girls, and all Utahns. As Dr. Madsen wrote in her white paper, “Utah can become one of the safest places in the nation for women, children, and families — but only if we are willing to understand where violence comes from, confront the conditions that allow it to persist, and work together to create communities where harm cannot take root.”

Biographical Information:

Dr. Susan R. Madsen is considered one of the top global scholars and thought leaders on the topic of women’s leadership, has authored or edited nine books, and has published hundreds of articles, chapters, and reports. Her research has been cited in the U.S. News and World Report, Newsweek, The Atlantic, The New York Times, Parenting Magazine, Chronicle of Higher Education, and The Washington Post. She is also a regular contributor to Forbes and other local and state newspapers. Professor Madsen is a Professor of Leadership in Extension at Utah State University and serves on many nonprofit and community boards. She is also the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, the visionary behind Utah’s A Bolder Way Forward, and her passion is to strengthen the impact of girls and women in Utah and worldwide.

Dr. Julie L. Valentine is a Professor and the Ida May “Dotty” Barnes RN and D. Keith Barnes MD Presidential Endowed Chair at the University of Utah College of Nursing. A certified sexual assault nurse examiner since 2006, she brings extensive clinical expertise to her research and policy work addressing sexual and gender‑based violence. Dr. Valentine has secured four federal grants totaling more than four million dollars and holds leadership roles at state, national, and international levels, shaping best‑practice recommendations to improve survivor care. She has built multiple research collaborations across Utah and the United States and has been honored with numerous awards, including induction as a Fellow in both the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Academy of Nursing. In 2023, she received the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology. She earned her BSN from the University of Arizona, MS from the University of Utah, and PhD from Duquesne University.

Liliana Olvera-Arbon, Executive Director of the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA), embarked on her transformative journey with UCASA in July 2019, assuming the role of Advocacy Manager. Her appointment as Executive Director marked a pivotal moment in the organization's evolution, reflecting her steadfast dedication to advancing the rights of survivors of sexual violence. Liliana is deeply committed to centering and amplifying the voices of survivors, advocating tirelessly for justice and empowerment. Her leadership at UCASA is characterized by a passionate pursuit of equity and a staunch commitment to dismantling systemic injustices that perpetuate sexual violence. Believing fervently in collective action, Liliana champions collaborative efforts to foster safer communities and drive societal change. She envisions a future where every voice is heard, every survivor is supported, and together, we can eliminate sexual violence. Through her advocacy work and personal pursuits, Liliana continues to inspire and empower others, leaving an indelible impact on those she serves and the broader community.