After a competitive process, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) has awarded Prevent Child Abuse Utah the contract as the statewide primary provider of child sexual abuse and human trafficking prevention education in elementary schools. This designation ensures that every public and charter elementary school in Utah will have access to high-quality, age-appropriate prevention education at no cost to schools.
The funding for this program was made possible through changes to Utah’s Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Law during the 2024 legislative session. The bill, sponsored by Senator Kirk Cullimore and Representative Karianne Lisonbee, passed both chambers with unanimous support.
Prevent Child Abuse Utah’s curriculum, approved by USBE and trusted by school districts and charter schools, empowers students in grades K–6 with critical skills to recognize, resist, and report abuse. The program also provides parents with resources and invites them to participate, ensuring full transparency and alignment with Utah Code 53G-9-207.
“This is a defining moment for children and families in Utah,” said Laurieann Thorpe, CEO of Prevent Child Abuse Utah. “As the primary provider, we can expand our reach to every community in Utah and ensure that more students learn how to stay safe and how to seek help if they are ever in danger. Our mission has always been to protect children. This award allows us to make that promise a reality for more of Utah’s children.”
Beginning this school year, Prevent Child Abuse Utah will deliver direct classroom presentations, train-the-trainer cohorts for educators, and provide ongoing outreach to ensure equitable access across all districts. The program will also host community events featuring survivor and advocate Deondra Brown. Event details will be announced soon.
About Prevent Child Abuse Utah
Founded in 1982, PCAU is Utah’s only nonprofit solely dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect. Through statewide school-based programs, parent education, community outreach, and evidence-based home visiting, Prevent Child Abuse Utah strengthens families and equips students with the tools to stay safe and thrive.
