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WHO WE ARE.
The Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault is Utah's primary rape crisis coalition. State sexual assault coalitions play a key role in providing training and technical assistance to rape crisis centers, ensuring the implementation of best practices in programming and administration. Additionally, they advocate for both rape crisis centers and the survivors they support through public policy efforts at the state and federal levels.
In addition to our advocacy work, UCASA leads statewide public awareness campaigns and assists local rape crisis centers in connecting with diverse communities, survivors, and service providers. We provide a wide range of services, including training for advocates and prevention specialists, technical support for local programs, systems advocacy, public policy initiatives, and more.
OUR MISSION
We engage individuals and organizations in local and statewide collaborations to strengthen the effectiveness of sexual violence education, prevention, and response in Utah.
OUR VISION
Our efforts will advance a society in which sexual violence is not tolerated.
OUR HISTORY
The Coalition of Advocates for Utah Survivors’ Empowerment (CAUSE) was founded in 1996 by a group of people with a vision of uniting Utahns to end sexual violence. The founding goals were to increase support, resources, and services for survivors of sexual assault.
As our coalition grew, our goals evolved, and robust prevention efforts were added to our vision. CAUSE became the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault in 2001. Since that time, another organization was formed as part of the coalition: Utahns Care About Sexual Assault
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Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault focuses on education designed to empower and activate people in the political process. This organization is recognized by the IRS under section 501(c)(3).
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Utahns Care About Sexual Assault drafts legislation and coordinates lobby efforts to ensure its passage. This organization is recognized by the IRS under section 501(c)(4).
These two organizations share a single mission and vision – to end sexual assault in Utah. Together, we support survivors and work to prevent sexual assault in all forms.
WHO WE ARE
UCASA started in 1996 when people from across the state came together to end sexual assault. We began a partnership with state agencies and service providers that lasts to this day. Together, we support survivors and work to prevent sexual assault in all forms.
Our work requires a commitment to accessibility. That means no survivors are ever forgotten. Our early work focused on passing laws to protect the privacy of survivors. After implementing the state's confidentiality law, we created our training program for advocates. Training has remained a central part of what we do since 1998.
Collaboration has defined our work since the beginning. Survivors have more services and resources than ever because of these collaborative efforts. Services and resources for survivors continue to grow and expand. The Utah Sexual Violence Council has enhanced our statewide efforts since 2003.
We put survivors first. Always seeking ways to increase the empowerment of survivors. Outreach and community education efforts are a signature part of our work. We want Utahns to know survivors’ stories and join our movement.
We strive to include as many people in our work as possible by building a community of support. We work hard to bring integrity to our work through our committees and councils.
These include:
Men's Anti-Violence Network (Founded 2001)
Start by Believing Utah (Founded 2015)
Young Emerging Leaders Council (Founded 2017)
LGBTQ Coordinating Council (Founded 2017)
A commitment to justice frames all our work and services. We work to make sure we are addressing both victimization and offending. In 2012, the first Utah Sexual Violence Conference began as a way to end sexual assault in our community.
With each new program and achievement comes progress. Hard fought, and hard-won laws continue to improve our efforts. In 2018, we formed our legislative arm and began to focus more on improving laws and policy.
We continue to grow and improve our efforts statewide. We look forward to a future where sexual violence does not exist. All people deserve safety, and together we can end sexual assault. Until then, our work will continue, and we will be here.
WHAT WE VALUE
Accessibility: To achieve a world without sexual violence, it is critical to effectively engage people of all abilities, genders, religions, nationalities, ethnicities, races, etc. We are dedicated to accommodating all who will engage with us. We constantly seek to improve the accessibility of our messaging and programs and to boldly advocate for all survivors.
Empowerment: Injustice is the root cause of sexual violence and we are committed to ending it in all of its forms. We seek therefore to eliminate the conditions that cause sexual violence is critical work in preventing rape and sexual assault.
Integrity: We strive to ensure that all organizational policies and practices reflect transparency, responsibility, and integrity. We also believe that ethical communication is critical to achieving our mission. Everyone has a role and a responsibility to assist in eliminating sexual violence.
Justice: All those affected by sexual violence have the right to receive compassionate, culturally relevant, and accessible services with dignity, privacy, and respect. Justice means fundamentally that we seek to heal the damage created by sexual violence.
Progress: In order to end sexual violence, we must engage all people in our efforts. Changing social norms and challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors are essential to our work. We understand that progress is built on consistency, strategy, and inclusion and we acknowledge that incremental progress is still progress.
Safety: All people have the right to be safe from sexual violence. We reject systems that seek to deny anyone this safety. We know that the healing of survivors will also result in the healing of society.
STAFF.
UCASA's staff is made up of world-class leaders, visionaries, community champions, educators, and trainers. We’re an organization that works a variety of initiatives: educational and training programs, public policy and legislative advocacy, and sexual violence prevention program. Our team is well-equipped to do it, too: each of us brings a unique background and skills to the organization, and as a result, UCASA has won local and national acclaim for our commitment to combating sexual violence in all of its forms. Our staff is dedicated to fighting for justice and brings a world-class skill set to our organization.
Executive Director
Liliana Olvera-Arbon (she/her)
Liliana Olvera-Arbon Executive Director, UCASA Liliana Olvera-Arbon embarked on her transformative journey with UCASA in July 2019, assuming the role of Advocacy Manager. Her appointment as Executive Director marked a pivotal moment in the organization's evolution, reflecting her steadfast dedication to advancing the rights of survivors of sexual violence. Liliana is deeply committed to centering and amplifying the voices of survivors, advocating tirelessly for justice and empowerment. Her leadership at UCASA is characterized by a passionate pursuit of equity and a staunch commitment to dismantling systemic injustices that perpetuate sexual violence. Believing fervently in collective action, Liliana champions collaborative efforts to foster safer communities and drive societal change. She envisions a future where every voice is heard, every survivor is supported, and together, we can eliminate sexual violence. Outside of her professional commitments, Liliana cherishes moments with her husband Brock, their son Matteo, and their dog Daisy. Liliana is a firm believer in maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and dedicates time to regular workouts. She escapes to a beach getaway whenever possible, and loves treating herself to a shopping trip. Through her advocacy work and personal pursuits, Liliana continues to inspire and empower others, leaving an indelible impact on those she serves and the broader community.
Operations Director
Natalie S. Mataya (she/her)
Natalie is highly motivated, hard-working, and fully invested in UCASA's vision. She is someone with an extensive background in serving others. With her many years of accounting experience and through her work in several non-profits across the state of Utah, Natalie brings invaluable skills to the UCASA team. As a strong believer in networking relationships and partnerships, Natalie strives to connect stakeholders together to help those who are served by and who work with UCASA. Outside of work, Natalie is a mother of two children, a second-class baker, a weekend boater, and a devoted community member who volunteers as a reading/math coach at the local elementary school.
Outreach Development Director
melissa van leeuwen (she/her)
With a commitment to bettering our local communities, Melissa has served with several non profit groups, such as Helping Kids With Cancer, Airline Ambassadors, Macy's Advisory Council, International Orphanages and she has also worked with high risk teens in group homes in an effort to get them back on track. She is passionate about creating a safer society for the next generation. It is this motivation that inspired her to be a part of the mission here at UCASA. Melissa hopes that her role as Outreach Development Director will utilize her natural ability to connect with people from all backgrounds and form alliances with our local businesses and community members with the common goal in mind to provide resources and awareness to survivors and advocates alike. Raising her family in Utah has fostered a love for hiking, biking, and exploring historic small towns and backcountry.
Systems Coordinator
Abbie San Juan (she/her)
Abbie is passionate about making meaningful change in her community through connection and advocacy. She values building relationships, empowering others, and helping people feel informed and supported in the spaces they move through. Abbie is a full time student at the University of Utah with a background in marketing, where she has developed a strong interest in using storytelling and strategy to create impact and increase engagement around important issues. Outside of her academic and professional work, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, is an avid theater/concert attendee, and is always curious about new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
Outreach Coordinator
Aliyah Negrete (she/her)
Aliyah Negrete is a passionate advocate for social justice and equity. She has a strong desire to support others and make a positive impact on communities. Aliyah received a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree at the University of Utah. She looks forward to her path with a dedication to empathy, compassion, and continued learning to the mission of UCASA and the broader cause of anti-violence.
Program Manager
Jorge Barraza (he/him/el)
Jorge Barraza is passionate about fighting against inequality and violence. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and has over 10 years of experience working with non-profits that address racial and economic issues, reproductive rights, as well as domestic and sexual violence. Jorge is an advocate for primary prevention of all forms of violence, with an emphasis on domestic and sexual violence. As a Program Manager with UCASA, he provides training and technical assistance to service providers, businesses, schools, churches, and any organizations interested in creating communities free of sexual violence. Apart from his work, Jorge loves to play his many guitars, spending time with family, and sharing his love for his city of Ogden, Utah. Jorge is driven by his belief that we can end sexual violence when every one of us understands and plays their role in creating a more just and healthy Utah.
Program Coordinator
Gail Payne
(she/her)
Gail is dedicated to empowering communities and helping others succeed. With a strong passion for advocacy and support, she thrives on building connections and making a positive impact. She wants to help bring more awareness to Sexual Assault and educate our communities on how we can better support survivors. Outside of work, Gail is a mom to three grown children, enjoys traveling, reading, and spending quality time with family.
SANE Program Manager
Susan Chasson MSN, JD, SANE-A (she/her)
Susan Chasson is the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program Manager for the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She has helped hospitals and communities create programs for providing health care and forensic evidence collection to victims of sexual violence in Utah for more than 25 years. She practices as a family nurse practitioner at the Merrill Gappmayer Family Medicine Clinic in Provo. Susan is actively involved in the expansion of Wasatch Forensic Nurses to Utah County where they will be providing sexual assault medical forensic examinations starting May 1st of 2017. She is President-elect of the International Association of Forensic Nurses and a member of the Advisory Council of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
SANE Educator
Trish Crump
(she/her)
Covers Tooele, Summit, Wasatch, Utah, Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Box Elder and Cache Counties. Her role as an educator is to support the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner teams caring for adolescent/adult patients reporting acute sexual assault. This support includes training, supporting team collaboration with multidisciplinary teams including advocacy, hospital leadership, law enforcement, court prep/support, Utah Bureau of Forensic Services, Utah Toxicology Lab, and Utah Victims of Crime Organization. Trish received her Associates of Nursing Degree in 2004, and is currently working on BSN & Master of Nursing, Forensics. She is certified as an Adolescent/Adult Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE-A). She was the recipient of the SAAM Award (Sexual Assault Awareness) in 2016. She has been a forensic nurse for 9 years. Trish began working for Wasatch Forensic Nurses as an Adolescent/Adult Forensic Nurse in 2014. She is part of the leadership team and her responsibilities include: Resource nurse, Law enforcement liaison, Court liaison and Education coordinator. She has specialized training in strangulation & interpersonal violence, touch DNA, and evidence collection. She enjoys the opportunity to share her knowledge with members of the multidisciplinary team serving victims of sexual assault.
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SANE Educator
MEGAN WEST
(she/her)
Megan received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008 from the University of Utah. She is certified as an Adolescent/Adult Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE-A). She has been a forensic nurse with Safe Harbor Crisis Center in Davis County since 2020. She was the SANE coordinator there for two years before joining the UCASA team. Prior to becoming a forensic nurse, her clinical experience was in Women and Children's Services. She is passionate about data analysis, research, education, and individual empowerment. She hopes she can combine those passions in her current role to prevent sexual assaults in the future.
Program Assistant
Miriam Urieta
(she/her/Ella)
Miriam is currently studying Family Research and Human Services and is passionate about serving others through education, advocacy, and compassionate support. She has spent much of her life in teaching and leadership roles, working closely with youth, young adults, and women. Miriam is grateful to be part of UCASA’s mission to promote healing, empowerment, and the prevention of sexual violence. She is honored to support survivors and contribute to building safer, more compassionate communities.
SART Coordinator
Toniee Lewis
(she/her)
Toniee Lewis joins the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA) as a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator, bringing a strong background in community engagement, advocacy, leadership, and building partnerships across rural and Tribal communities. Toniee is an enrolled member of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (Tigua). Toniee has spent much of her professional and community work bringing people and organizations together, building relationships, and helping connect communities with resources and opportunities. Her experience includes working alongside local government, Tribal communities, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and other community partners throughout southeastern Utah. As a SART Coordinator, Toniee is passionate about strengthening collaboration among advocates, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, prosecutors, Tribal partners, and other agencies that respond to sexual violence. She believes that strong relationships between these partners are essential to creating a coordinated, trauma-informed, victim-centered response where survivors are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. Toniee also has a strong passion for working with rural and Tribal communities and ensuring that communities that may face geographic, cultural, or resource barriers have a voice at the table. She believes meaningful change happens when we listen to communities, build trust, and work together toward solutions that reflect the needs of the people being served. Toniee is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with minors in Sociology and Behavioral Health Awareness & Advocacy. She has also completed a Law & Society Certificate. Her long-term interests center around advocacy, justice, Tribal communities, and creating systems that better support individuals and families. Outside of her professional work, Toniee values spending time with her family and being involved in her community. She is excited to bring her experience, passion for advocacy, and commitment to relationship-building to UCASA and to work alongside communities and partners throughout Utah to strengthen the response to sexual violence.
Executive Coordinator
DEWEY HOLBROOK
(she/her)
Dewey Holbrook is the Executive Coordinator at the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA). With more than 15 years of experience in leadership, operations, and community engagement, she is passionate about creating organized, collaborative environments where people and ideas can thrive. Throughout her career, Dewey has built strong community partnerships, coordinated events, managed projects, and supported teams in achieving meaningful goals. She enjoys bringing people together, solving problems, and ensuring the details behind every initiative are thoughtfully executed. Outside of work, Dewey enjoys strength training, Pilates, hiking Utah’s beautiful mountains, reading, and spending time with her husband, four children, and their dogs. She is honored to support UCASA’s mission and believes that strong organizations, compassionate advocacy, and dedicated people can create lasting change for survivors and communities across Utah.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our leadership team reflects the broader collaborative spirit of UCASA: only by bringing together people from all sectors of society can we create innovative solutions that address the issue of sexual assault in our communities. If you would like to contact a member of our Board of Directors, please email them at board@ucasa.org.
Ruth Hardy
Ruth Hardy is a social impact consultant with extensive experience in nonprofit operations, stakeholder coordination, and impact research. With a Master's in International Social Policy from the London School of Economics, Ruth has led multi-stakeholder research projects, developed organizational systems, and managed complex partnerships across government, nonprofit, and academic sectors. Her background includes work with state agencies, international development organizations, and policy analysis that strengthens nonprofit missions and supports vulnerable populations.
DR. MONIQUE DERR
Dr. Monique Derr has worked as a humanitarian and human rights activist for nearly 20 years. Her research and service focus has been on human trafficking and gender/socio-economic inequality issues. She has a rich background working in non-profits as a project and accounts manager, director, fundraiser, community outreach manager, homeless outreach worker, and trainer. Her activism has taken her to Kenya and Guatemala, where she conducted field research and focused on educational development. She is a professional performer and journalist, having worked as a television panelist on a nationally syndicated talk show as well as written for various publications. She completed a Ph.D. in Human Science with a specialization in transformative social change and worked as a professor of sociology and communications at UVU and SLCC.
KIM ROMERO
Kim Romero was born and raised in Southern California, graduating from California State University, San Bernardino with a BA in Business Administration before getting an MBA from University of Redlands. She has been married over 25 years to Mario and they have two boys. Kim and her family relocated to Utah in 2004 to be closer to family. Since then, Kim has spent her career in sales roles working in the medical industry, indirectly making a difference in people's lives. Along the way she has volunteered for Susan G. Koman, the American Cancer Society and the Humane Society. Kim is looking forward to having a more direct impact in the community.
RYAN COOK
Ryan studied Anthropology and International Development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, drawn to how anthropology weaves together her passions for history, languages, and the arts to explore the complexities of human experience. Her professional background spans the nonprofit and academic sectors, where she has supported initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, global entrepreneurship, and gender dynamics within Indigenous communities. Before joining Zions Bank, Ryan managed operations and programs at Women of the World, a Salt Lake City–based nonprofit dedicated to helping forcibly displaced women achieve self-reliance and independence. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University, where she taught courses on ethnographic and qualitative research methodologies. In her current role on Zions Bank’s Community Engagement team, Ryan helps coordinate and manage internal and external initiatives that strengthen communities across the bank’s footprint. Outside of work, Ryan is happiest near the ocean, exploring new hiking trails, or spending time outside with her husband.
KARI HERRON
Kari is a seasoned professional with nearly three decades of experience in the legal arena, having worked in law firms and corporations. Graduating with a degree in Social Work from the University of Wyoming and holding an ABA approved paralegal certificate, she brings a unique blend of skills to her endeavors. Outside of work, Kari enjoys spending time with her family, running Utah Women and Wine, and exploring new destinations through travel. She is particularly passionate about empowering survivors and is excited to be making a meaningful contribution to the local community.
SUSI FELTCH- MALOHIFo’oU
Susi Feltch-Malohifo’ou is a Co Founder and current Chief Community Engagement & Development Officer after 8 years serving as CEO of Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR) a 9 year old Community powered 5O1C3 non profit based in Salt Lake City, Utah whose mission is to eradicate poverty, reduce harm, Economic Advancement rooted in the Arts & Humanities. Susi is a proud Community Health Worker, Certified Peer Support Specialist, Survivor and Advocate in life long recovery that was born in the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific, is a trans-racial adoptee, immigrated to the US when she was 13 years old with her adopted family and grew up in Vernal, Utah. Has lived and worked in Dallas, Texas, Honolulu, Hi, Tucson, AZ, San Francisco, CA areas and relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah area 13 years ago when she married her biggest supporter and advocate, Simi Poteki. Susi’s life time work is centered in the margins championing and empowering the most vulnerable, the under-resourced in communities through self-determination, turning challenges into strengths, building and regaining cultural self value with as many chances as people need to strive and thrive. Susi sits on several Boards and Governors Committees & Subcommittees. Utah Community Health Workers Association, UCASA, Governors Food Security Committee, Governors Recitivation, Community Sub Committee, AG’s Trafficking Service Providers Sub Committee and co leads Living Color Utah, a coalition of 10 diverse Chambers of Commerce. A few awards and accolades are: April 2024 ABC4 selected Susi as 1 of the 4 Remarkable Women of Utah Honorees, received the 2022 National ACE (Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship) Advocate of the Year Award and Utah's “40 Over 40” awardee. In 2021 Forbes Magazine named Susi one of the “50 Over 50” for Impact. In 2019 FBI Directors “Community Leadership Award” for the State of Utah and honored as one of Utah’s 50 Enlightened.