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HB366 • The House unanimously passed and sent to the Senate a bill that would broaden the definition of aggravated sexual abuse of a child to cover people in positions of authority.
HB366 would also modify provisions to include victims up to 18 years old, instead of just 14, in cases where the abuser is at least three years older and occupies a position of trust, such as a family member, religious leader, coach or employer.
Sponsoring Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, said "80 percent of the sexual abuse of children happens either in a family context or by someone known, and has that relationship of undue influence."
He said studies show that 15 percent of sex abusers in prison seek out these relationships of trust with the intent of abusing a child.
— Erica Palmer