Tooele man accused of performing ‘suicide checks’ arrested in child abuse investigation – KSL.com

Incident Report: Aggravated Child Abuse in Tooele County

Case Summary

A 46-year-old male in Tooele has been arrested and booked into the Tooele County Jail on charges of aggravated child abuse. The allegations, brought forward by a third party who accompanied the victim to the Tooele Police Department, detail a pattern of severe physical, psychological, and sexual abuse against his stepdaughter over a three-year period.

Details of Allegations

• Physical Abuse: The victim reported that the perpetrator struck her jaw with his knuckles and hit her on the sternum.
• Psychological and Sexual Abuse: The abuse included a practice the perpetrator termed “suicide checks,” wherein the victim was forced to remove all her clothing under the pretext of checking for self-harm, despite the victim not being suicidal. These checks allegedly occurred approximately 10 times over three years, with the most recent incident taking place last week.
• Gender-Based Violence: In one instance, the perpetrator allegedly forced the victim to lie on her back while he held her arms down, stating he was demonstrating “how a male could overpower a female.”

Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case represents a significant violation of several core United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the critical need for societal structures that protect vulnerable individuals and ensure justice.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The incident is a direct contravention of SDG Target 16.2, which calls to “end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The actions of the Tooele Police Department in arresting the suspect and initiating an investigation exemplify the role of strong institutions in providing access to justice for victims. The subsequent legal process by the Tooele County Attorney’s Office will be a critical step in upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability, which are foundational to achieving SDG 16.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The alleged abuse contains clear elements of gender-based violence, directly undermining SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The perpetrator’s specific act of demonstrating male physical dominance over a female is a direct assault on the principles of equality and bodily autonomy. This action falls under the scope of SDG Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.” Addressing such violence is essential for creating a society where girls can live free from fear and oppression.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The sustained physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon the victim is a severe impediment to SDG 3, which seeks to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” The physical assaults pose a direct risk to her health, while the profound psychological distress caused by the repeated “suicide checks” and other abusive acts constitutes a major assault on her mental well-being. Recovery will necessitate access to comprehensive health and mental health support services, underscoring the importance of robust community health systems in achieving this goal.

Community Response and Support Systems for SDG Attainment

The existence of community resources is vital for protecting victims and advancing the objectives of the SDGs. The following support systems are instrumental in providing the safety, justice, and care necessary to address such violations.

1. Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Operates a 24-hour hotline (1-800-897-LINK) and provides resources that directly support SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by offering immediate safety and support to victims of violence.
2. Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS): As the statewide child abuse and neglect hotline (1-855-323-DCFS), this institution is a cornerstone for achieving SDG 16.2. By providing counseling, parenting skills, and community resources, it also contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by working to keep children safe and support family stability.
3. The Christmas Box House: This organization provides temporary shelter and essential items for children removed from abusive situations. Its services are a critical component of the institutional framework required by SDG 16, offering immediate protection and care that supports the well-being targets of SDG 3.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article details severe physical and psychological abuse, which directly impacts the victim’s health and well-being. The alleged acts, such as being hit on the jaw and sternum, and the trauma from the “suicide checks,” pose significant risks to both physical and mental health.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The abuse has a clear gender-based dimension. The article states the stepfather’s alleged justification for one assault was to show the victim “how a male could overpower a female.” This highlights violence directed at a girl, which is a key concern of SDG 5.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The core of the article revolves around crime and the justice system’s response. It describes violence against a child, the reporting of the crime, a police investigation, and the arrest of the alleged perpetrator. This directly relates to the goal of ending violence against children and ensuring justice.

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

1. 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 severe psychological trauma resulting from the described physical and sexual abuse over three years directly undermines the victim’s mental health and well-being. The mention of “suicide checks,” although used as a pretext for abuse, points to the theme of mental health.
2. 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 article describes a case of physical and sexual violence against a girl within her own home (the private sphere). The alleged acts, including being forced to undress for “checks” and being physically overpowered, are explicit examples of the violence this target aims to eliminate.
3. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • This is the most direct target related to the article. The entire report details the alleged physical abuse (“hit the bottom of her jaw,” “hit her on her sternum”) and psychological and sexual abuse (“making her take her clothes off”) of a child by her stepfather, which are the exact forms of violence this target seeks to end.

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

1. Implied Indicator for Target 16.2: The number or proportion of children experiencing physical or sexual violence.
   • The article is a case study of one child experiencing such violence. While it doesn’t provide statistics, the detailed account of the abuse (“hit the bottom of her jaw,” “making her take her clothes off”) serves as a qualitative example of what indicators like 16.2.1 (Proportion of children who experienced physical punishment/psychological aggression) and 16.2.3 (Proportion of young people who experienced sexual violence by age 18) measure.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 5.2: The prevalence of violence against girls by family members.
   • The article details violence perpetrated by a stepfather against his stepdaughter. This specific case contributes to the data measured by indicators like 5.2.1 (Proportion of women and girls subjected to violence by a current or former intimate partner or family member). The statement about showing “how a male could overpower a female” specifically highlights the gendered nature of the violence.
3. Implied Indicator for SDG 16: The functioning of justice and support systems.
   • The article mentions that a “third party” reported the abuse, the police conducted an interview, and the stepfather was “booked into the Tooele County Jail.” These actions represent the functioning of a system designed to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. Furthermore, the inclusion of resources like the “statewide child abuse and neglect hotline” and the “Utah Domestic Violence Coalition” points to the existence of institutions and services that are crucial for addressing these crimes and supporting victims.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ksl.com