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SALT LAKE CITY — A resolution that lawmakers hope will change how police, advocates and even family members interact with victims of sexual violence passed the Utah House of Representatives on Tuesday.
HCR1, sponsored by Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, would designate the first Wednesday of April as “Start Believing Day” in support of sexual assault victims. The resolution passed the House by 69-3 vote.
"Because a friend or family member is typically the first person a victim confides in after an assault, each individual's personal reaction is the first step in a long path toward justice and healing," Romero said. "'Start By Believing' will lead the way toward stopping the cycle of sexual violence by creating a positive community response, informing the public, uniting allies and supporters, and improving our personal reactions."
Research from the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice indicate that many sexual assault victims do not report their assaults for fear of not being believed, the resolution states.
HCR1 follows the message of the national Start By Believing campaign, which “confronts the reality that many victims do not get the support they need when they do report a crime,” according to the resolution.
Rep. Earl Tanner, R-West Jordan, voted against the resolution, expressing concerns of the consequences of "using slogans to address complicated problems."
"The problem comes when your child is the accused," Tanner said. "Suddenly the phrase 'Start By Believing' takes on a different meaning. It means believe the accuser and disbelieve the accused."
Rep. Jacob Anderegg, R-Lehi, and Rep. Daniel McCay, R-Riverton, voted with Tanner against the resolution.
"(The resolution) is about when someone comes to you and they feel like they've been a victim of sexual assault or sexual violence," Romero said. "You listen to them. You get them the resources you need."
Utah would be the third state, following Arizona and New Mexico, to pass similar legislation, Romero said.
HCR1 will now go to the Senate for further consideration. Email: kmckellar@deseretnews.com
