For years, Utah allowed government officials to do something other states banned: ask a person who reports a sexual assault to take a polygraph test.
That will change soon. Earlier this month, state lawmakers passed a bill that prohibits police and other government officials from requesting polygraph tests for alleged sex assault victims. Gov. Spencer Cox signed it into law on Thursday, and it goe...
The strongest version of this narrative centers on the tangible harm caused by polygraph tests in sexual assault cases, particularly their role in silencing victims and enabling perpetrators. The reporting by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica provides compelling evidence of systemic failure, as seen in the case of Scott Owen, where a flawed investigative tool allowed abuse to continue. The legislative response—banning polygraphs for victims—is a clear win for victim advocacy, grounded in empi...