Mormon Church Abuse

October 22, 2025
Sarah Miller

For decades, reports have surfaced of child sexual abuse within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where trusted church leaders and local church leaders were accused of hiding misconduct instead of protecting victims. Survivors describe a pattern of secrecy and cover-ups that left many feeling silenced and without justice. Today, more individuals are stepping forward, filing lawsuits, and demanding accountability from the Mormon Church.

At Legal Claim Assistant, we provide a safe and confidential resource for survivors to explore their legal rights. Learn more about Sexual Abuse or contact us for a free case review.

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Key Takeaways:

Sexual abuse within the Mormon/LDS Church includes exploitation by clergy, bishops, youth leaders, missionaries, and volunteers, often occurring in trusted religious settings.
Survivors may experience long-lasting harm, including emotional and spiritual trauma, guilt, shame, PTSD, difficulty trusting others, and challenges in personal relationships.
The LDS Church has historically handled allegations internally, sometimes using clergy penitent privilege to shield abusers, which can exacerbate the survivor’s trauma.
Free, confidential case reviews with Legal Claim Assistant can help survivors understand their rights, determine eligibility, and take the first step toward justice.

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If your child has been a victim of sexual abuse, you are not alone. Many families face the same fear, pain, and search for justice. Our team can connect you with experienced child abuse attorneys who understand these sensitive cases, protect your child’s rights, and guide your family members through filing a legal claim for the compensation and accountability you deserve.

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What Is Mormon Church Abuse?

Mormon Church sexual abuse refers to situations where clergy, bishops, youth leaders, missionaries, or ids church leaders or volunteers exploit children or vulnerable adults under their care. In many cases, survivors report that local bishops or other spiritual leaders ignored or minimized abuse claims rather than protecting victims. This has led to devastating childhood sexual abuse and child sex abuse cases across LDS communities.

It is important to understand the difference between individual abusive behavior and the broader responsibility of a religious institution. When church officials or the church’s risk management division fail to act, or when the privilege is misused to shield abusers, both the church and its other church leaders can be held accountable.

The Mormon Church Sexual Abuse Scandals

Over the past nearly a decade, major sexual abuse allegations against the LDS Church have been exposed through lawsuits, investigative reporting, and survivor testimonies. Cases like the Arizona clergy privilege scandal revealed how local church leaders knew and allegedly used clergy penitent privilege to avoid reporting abuse to local law enforcement.

PBS and the Salt Lake Tribune have documented how Mormon leaders and church spokespersons appeared more concerned with protecting the church’s image and church property than protecting children.

These sexual abuse cases echo patterns seen in other institutions like the Catholic Church Abuse, Southern Baptist Sex Abuse, and Jehovah Witness Sexual Abuse. In many lawsuits, plaintiffs allege that the church knew of offenders, including known abusers in Mormon communities, yet failed to prevent future abuse. Survivors and their law firms argue that the church’s risk management playbook prioritized saving church’s reputation and saving souls over stopping abusive behavior.

Who Can File a Mormon Church Abuse Lawsuit?

A Mormon Church abuse lawsuit may be filed by survivors who experienced sexual abuse as children in LDS-affiliated settings such as churches, schools, youth groups, summer camps, missions, or even organizations like the Boy Scouts.

Adult survivors who were sexually assaulted or subjected to child sexual abuse cases by church members, missionaries, or leaders offering spiritual guidance may qualify to file claims for justice and compensation.

Key eligibility factors often include:

Skin-on-skin contact or other evidence of sexually abusing or harming a child
A known abuser’s name or details of the such incident
Multiple incidents of child abuse or alleged abuse within LDS settings
The institution still exists and can be held responsible
Case falls within state statute of limitations or under a revival window
Survivor has no current legal representation

If you or someone you love suffered abuse in LDS settings, you may qualify for an LDS Lawsuit to hold the church accountable through the legal process.

How the LDS Church Responded to Abuse Allegations

For decades, survivors and investigators have revealed that the LDS Church often handled sexual abuse claims internally instead of reporting them to local police or stake presidents. In places like Salt Lake City and beyond, critics allege that clergy privilege was used as a shield to keep child sex abuse secrets hidden rather than to report child abuse and prevent abuse.

In many sexual abuse lawsuits, plaintiffs allege that church lds leaders downplayed abuse, moved known abusers to different wards, and silenced survivors, sometimes causing lifelong emotional distress.

Most cases such as those involving Paul Rytting in West Virginia and John Goodrich or Chelsea Goodrich demonstrate how deeply the church’s internal systems failed to protect children.

Instead of prioritizing accountability, the church takes steps to protect its reputation, relying on secrecy and the authority of the Mormon temple or other LDS institutions. Survivors argue that this approach ignored opportunities to prevent abuse and fueled repeated cycles of harm.

While the news media and lawsuits continue to expose the truth, the path forward requires independent legal action. Abuse victims who were sexually assaulted or forced to endure forcible sodomy within LDS settings are showing that the legal process can finally bring accountability.

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Impact on Survivors

Survivors of Mormon Church sexual assault often carry deep wounds that extend far beyond the incident itself. The betrayal of trust by church leaders or other spiritual authorities can leave scars of guilt, shame, and PTSD. For many, the trauma disrupts faith, relationships, and a sense of personal safety.

Long-term effects of child sex abuse assert within LDS communities may include struggles with intimacy, isolation, and difficulty trusting others. Survivors who endured abuse as children often face emotional, psychological, and even spiritual challenges that persist into adulthood.

To understand how childhood trauma impacts survivors more broadly, see more on Child Sexual Abuse.

Filing a Mormon Church Abuse Claim

Taking legal action against a powerful religious organization and institution can feel overwhelming, but survivors are not alone. A Mormon Church abuse claim follows a clear process designed to protect your rights and strengthen your case:

Confidential case review with a trusted law firm
Evidence gathering such as survivor testimony, church files, prior sexual abuse lawsuits, or police suppress reports naming abusers (often listed as John Doe if identities are sealed)
Filing suit against the LDS Church or related organizations, similar to how Catholic Church abuse cases have been pursued
Negotiation, settlement, or trial, depending on the strength of the case and willingness of the institution to accept accountability

If you are ready to take the next step, learn more about filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit or connect with a dedicated Sexual Abuse Attorney today.

Compensation in Mormon Church Abuse Cases

Survivors who pursue Mormon Church sexual abuse claims may be entitled to various forms of compensation. Common types of damages include therapy and medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and sometimes punitive damages for institutional negligence.

Past child sex abuse claims against LDS institutions have resulted in settlements and verdicts that recognize the profound emotional and physical impact of abuse. Each case is unique, and compensation depends on the severity of the harm, the available evidence, and the survivor’s legal representation.

For detailed examples of how survivors have successfully pursued justice, Learn more about Mormon Church Scandal.

“Abuse hidden behind faith is still abuse — no church is above accountability.”

Statute of Limitations in Mormon Church Abuse Cases

Timing is critical for filing a sexual abuse lawsuit. Each state sets a statute of limitations (SOL), and some offer revival windows that allow older cases to proceed. Survivors must act quickly to ensure their claims can be heard.

Understanding your options can prevent losing the opportunity for justice. For more guidance on recognizing early warning signs and pursuing claims, Learn more on Signs of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault.

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FAQs

Can I sue if the abuse happened decades ago?

Yes. Many states have revival windows that allow survivors to file claims even if the abuse occurred years ago. These laws give victims a chance to seek justice for abuse children suffered in the past.

What if the abuser has died?

You may still have legal options. Often, lawsuits can be filed against the institution responsible for protecting you, such as the LDS Church, for failing to prevent the abuse.

Can I stay anonymous in a Mormon Church abuse lawsuit?

In some cases, courts allow survivors to proceed under a pseudonym or John Doe designation to protect privacy while pursuing justice.

What evidence is needed if I never reported it?

Even if the abuse was never reported at the time, evidence can include personal testimony, witness statements, prior sexual abuse lawsuits, church records, and other documentation to support your claim.

How Legal Claim Assistant Can Help Survivors

At Legal Claim Assistant, we provide free and confidential case evaluations for survivors of Mormon Church sexual abuse. Our team connects survivors with experienced attorneys across the nation who specialize in abuse children cases within institutions.

Our goal is to help survivors achieve accountability, justice, and maximum compensation while guiding them through every step of the legal process.

Check if you qualify for a Mormon Church abuse lawsuit free, confidential consultation by contacting us today.

You Deserve Justice. Let Us Help.

Speak with a trusted sexual abuse attorney who will stand by your side, protect your privacy, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

No Win, No Fee. Let the Best Sex Abuse Attorneys Fight for your Compensation!