Murray police are calling for victims of sexual assault to come forward with information regarding suspects, as community resources and statewide tracking systems remain available to assist survivors in navigating the aftermath of violence.
Law Enforcement and Support Services
The push for reports follows ongoing efforts by law enforcement to identify perpetrators through survivor testimony. While Murray Chief of Police Craig D. Burnett serves as the city's lead law enforcement official, local authorities continue to rely on community engagement to advance investigations into sexual violence.
As survivors seek justice, the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) maintains a variety of specialized resources designed to support victims across the state. The coalition provides educational materials intended to supplement the knowledge of survivors, advocates, and those working toward ending sexual violence.
Statewide Crisis Helplines
The Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault operates a 24-hour English-language statewide sexual assault helpline. This free resource allows callers to $”connect with victim advocates who can answer questions for survivors, their loved ones, and community professionals. While the helpline is confidential for adults, UCASA noted that all adults in Utah are mandatory reporters for any reports involving child abuse.
In addition to English-language services, a Spanish-language Sexual Assault Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service provides a free way for Spanish-speaking community members to connect with resources and determine their next steps following an assault.
Sexual Assault Kit Tracking
For survivors who have undergone forensic examinations, the Utah Department of Public Safety has implemented the Utah Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System. This live system allows survivors to monitor the status and location of their sexual assault kits in real time, a move designed to provide complete transparency throughout the process.
To use the tracking system, survivors can log in using their sexual assault kit serial number—which is provided at the time of a forensic exam—and their date of birth. If a survivor does not have access to their serial number, they are encouraged to contact the law enforcement agency handling their case or reach out to the Utah Department of Public Safety Victim Advocate at 801-965-4461.
Testing Transparency and Rights
Under Utah Code 77-37-3, survivors have the right to know the results of any testing performed on their kits. The tracking system is designed to ensure that every kit collected in the state is sent for testing, unless a survivor specifically requests otherwise. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies can be requested to notify survivors once the testing process has been completed.
The implementation of this digital tracking follows national concerns regarding backlogs of untested sexual assault kits. Since 2014, Utah has worked to proactively test all un-submitted kits and has made significant efforts to manage the backlog of forensic evidence.
Regional Support Centers
Beyond statewide helplines, several community-based resource centers provide free and confidential services across Utah. Many of these programs operate as dual domestic violence and sexual violence initiatives, offering crisis intervention, medical advocacy, and court assistance.
These regional centers also provide referrals for counseling and therapy, housing support, and general safety planning. Specific rape crisis centers are available in several major Utah locations, including:
- Salt Lake City: Rape Recovery Center (Tooele)
- Ogden: YCC Family Crisis Center
- Layton: Safe Harbor Crisis Center
- Orem: The Refuge Utah
- Park City: Peace House
- St. George: Dove Center
- Logan: CAPSA Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse
Ongoing Assistance
For those seeking further assistance, the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault encourages individuals to contact them at info@ucasa.org if they have suggestions for additional resources or require unlisted information. The coalition remains committed to providing high-quality materials to support all those involved in the effort to end sexual violence.
