Roy fire chief releases statement after firefighter charged in child sexual abuse case – KSL TV 5

Institutional Accountability and Justice in Response to Child Abuse Allegations

Case Overview and Judicial Proceedings

A case involving a former Roy City Fire Department firefighter, Ryan J. Rampton, 58, highlights critical issues related to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Mr. Rampton has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and one count of sodomy on a child. In alignment with judicial processes aimed at protecting vulnerable populations (Target 16.2), the 2nd Judicial District Court has ordered Mr. Rampton to be held without bail. The firefighter was placed on administrative leave during the investigation and subsequently resigned.

Roy City Fire Department’s Commitment to Institutional Integrity (SDG 16)

In response to the allegations, Roy City Fire Department Chief Theron Williams issued a statement reinforcing the department’s commitment to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions (Target 16.6). Key points from the statement include:

• The alleged conduct is described as “deeply troubling and wholly inconsistent with our standards.”
• The department affirmed its commitment to rebuilding community trust through transparency, accountability, and continued service.
• It was noted that the alleged misconduct occurred prior to the individual’s employment with Roy City, which began approximately three years ago.
• The department stated it had no prior knowledge of misconduct, emphasizing that “this employee would not have been hired” if such information had been available.

Chief Williams stressed that this is an isolated incident and does not define the department’s mission or the integrity of its personnel, asking the public to recognize the courage and compassion with which its members serve daily.

Community Support Systems for Health, Well-being, and Protection (SDGs 3, 5, 16)

The following resources are vital for promoting good health and well-being (SDG 3), ending all forms of violence and exploitation (SDG 5.2), and ending abuse, exploitation, and trafficking of children (SDG 16.2).

Immediate Support and Intervention Services

• Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Operates a confidential, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465) and provides online resources at udvc.org.
• Statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237).

Family Support and Preventive Care

1. The Family Support Center: Offers free crisis nurseries, counseling, and family mentoring across 15 state locations. Contact: 801-955-9110 or familysupportcenter.org.
2. Prevent Child Abuse Utah: Provides home visiting support, parent education, and community training on protective factors, digital safety, and preventing child sex trafficking. Resources available at pcautah.org.
3. The Office of Home Visiting: Connects pregnant women and young families with trained home visitors for support and information on child development, health, and safety. More information at homevisiting.utah.gov.
4. The Safe Haven Law: Allows for the safe and anonymous relinquishment of newborns at any Utah hospital, ensuring their well-being and care. Details at utahsafehaven.org or via the 24-hour hotline at 866-458-0058.

Combating Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and Supporting Recovery

• The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): Provides support for victims, assists with content removal, and operates the CyberTipline for reporting CSAM.
• The Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force: Offers a hub of resources for parents and local assistance for cases involving child sexual exploitation.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Publishes guides on safety measures to prevent children from being targeted in CSAM cases.
• Thorn: A nonprofit that develops technology and programs to combat child sexual abuse, providing educational resources for families on online exploitation.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is the most relevant SDG. The article’s core subject is a criminal case of child sexual abuse, which directly relates to ending violence against children. It also discusses the justice system’s response (charges, court proceedings) and the accountability of a public institution (the fire department).
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article extensively lists resources aimed at providing mental health support, counseling, and family assistance for those affected by child abuse or stress. These services, such as The Family Support Center and RAINN, directly contribute to promoting mental health and well-being.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: While the victim’s gender is not specified, child sexual abuse is a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects girls. Therefore, the issues discussed are relevant to the broader goal of eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The entire article is centered on this target. The case involves charges of “aggravated sexual abuse of a child” and “sodomy on a child,” which are explicit forms of violence and abuse against children that this target aims to eliminate. The numerous resources listed are all mechanisms to prevent and respond to such violence.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article mentions that the accused was “charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child,” and a judge “ordered Rampton continue to be held without bail.” This demonstrates the functioning of the justice system to address the crime, which is a key component of promoting the rule of law.
3. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The statement from Fire Chief Theron Williams directly addresses this target. He speaks of the department’s standards, acknowledges the incident has “profoundly affected… the trust and confidence of our city,” and commits to “rebuilding trust through transparency, accountability, and continued service.” This highlights an institution’s effort to maintain accountability in the face of an employee’s alleged misconduct.
4. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article’s extensive list of resources, such as “The Family Support Center” which offers counseling, and organizations like RAINN and the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, directly supports the “promote mental health and well-being” aspect of this target by providing crucial support systems for victims and families affected by trauma.
5. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The crime of child sexual abuse is a severe form of violence and exploitation. As girls are primary victims of such crimes, the article’s focus on addressing this issue contributes to the goal of eliminating violence against girls.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not provide quantitative data or official SDG indicators. However, it implies several qualitative and process-based indicators that can measure efforts towards the targets:

• For Target 16.2: The existence and promotion of numerous support and reporting mechanisms serve as an indicator of a system designed to protect children. These include the “statewide child abuse and neglect hotline,” the “National Center for Missing & Exploited Children,” and the “CyberTipline.” The number of cases reported through these channels could be a quantitative measure of their use.
• For Target 16.3: The progression of the legal case itself—from the filing of charges to the court’s bail decision—is an indicator of access to and the functioning of the formal justice system for victims of crime.
• For Target 16.6: The public statement by the Roy City Fire Department is a direct indicator of an institution’s action towards transparency and accountability. The chief’s commitment to “rebuilding trust” implies that public satisfaction and confidence are metrics the department considers important, aligning with indicators that measure public trust in institutions.
• For Target 3.4: The availability and accessibility of the listed mental health and family support services (e.g., The Family Support Center, Prevent Child Abuse Utah, RAINN) are indicators of a community’s capacity to provide mental health support. The range of services offered, from crisis nurseries to counseling and parent education, demonstrates a multi-faceted approach to promoting well-being.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kslnewsradio.com