Mormon Church sexual abuse lawsuit: What you should know

Why individuals harmed by Mormon Church sexual abuse are coming forward now

Were you or a loved one harmed by sexual abuse connected to a Mormon Church leader, setting, or activity, and are you seeking clarity about your options?

Individuals and families have reported sexual abuse involving leaders or members of the LDS Church, along with allegations that reports were ignored or mishandled. These claims are now under investigation to determine whether legal action may be available.

With deep connections remaining to faith and community, many survivors and families may struggle with how to move forward. A confidential legal review can help you determine what your options are. Completing the form on this page does not obligate you to file a lawsuit. Sharing your experience in a respectful and confidential manner can also provide clarity to similar cases and support others in need of help.

Some LDS lawsuit filings allege abusers were shielded internally from accountability, and that reports were ignored or mishandled. In response, many individuals who experienced Mormon Church sexual abuse are now seeking legal remedies in order to find redress and personal closure.

Individuals who experienced abuse often seek accountability out of a genuine need to heal, to protect others, and to create stronger and more accountable communities for the future.  

If you, or a loved one, have not received the care you deserve, or been denied an appropriate and rightful means of closure, the option of joining a LDS lawsuit investigation does remain.  

A confidential consultation can help determine whether you may qualify to participate in a Mormon Church sexual abuse lawsuit and what that would entail.

Survivors speak out on accountability and healing

Faith communities are built on trust, service, and moral guidance. When allegations of child sexual abuse arise within these settings, survivors often face unique barriers such as the fear of disbelief, concern for family relationships, or repercussions to the community.

One plaintiff in a Mormon Church sexual abuse lawsuit, identified only as AH, shared a message for other survivors:

“Understand that you are not alone. It is not your fault. The shame is not yours. Rather, the shame belongs to those who abused, as well as those who allowed the abuse to happen.”

Some LDS Church lawsuits allege that internal reports of sexual abuse in the Mormon Church were ignored or mishandled, questioning whether a civil claim would have been more appropriate and responsible. Each claim is reviewed individually and on its own facts.

For these reasons, you are invited to share your experience using the confidential form on this page. Your voice matters, your community matters, and you are not alone.

The long-term impacts of sexual abuse and how reaching out can help

The effects of sexual abuse can persist long after the abuse ends. Survivors often experience emotional, psychological, and relational challenges that affect daily life, wellbeing, and relationships.

Long-term impacts often include depression, guilt, shame and self reproach. Physical effects such as eating, sleep and sexual disorders are not uncommon. Others may live through addictive or destructive behaviors.

For some individuals who experienced LDS Church abuse, legal action may provide access to resources that support counseling, long-term care and stability. Seeking support and clarity does not diminish faith, forgiveness, or personal values.

Many survivors pursue clarity simply to move forward with peace of mind.

As a result, many require long-term therapy, mental health care or even medical treatment. These services may be expensive and ongoing, placing a heavy financial burden on those who did nothing wrong.

If you experienced Mormon Church sexual abuse, legal action may secure compensation to help cover the cost of care and open up doorways to additional help and support.

The broader picture: LDS Church lawsuits and sexual abuse allegations

In recent years, numerous lawsuits have been filed against the Mormon Church, alleging clergy sexual abuse, as well as the Church of Latter-day Saints’ failure to report these crimes to law enforcement. Recent examples include:

• January 2026 — Woman sues LDS Church over high priest abuse: An Oregon woman filed a federal lawsuit against the LDS Church, alleging that a high priest sexually abused her from age 10 until 15 during the 1990s. According to the complaint, when she reported the abuse to her local bishop in 1999, he told her not to contact police and assured her the Church would “handle” the matter; the suit asserts the Church then informed the accused of her disclosure and failed to protect her.

• September 2025 — New LDS lawsuit in Washington: Two families in Seattle sued the LDS Church, claiming that it knowingly permitted a high priest with prior convictions for child sexual abuse to continue working with children during the 1980s. According to the suit, both a 4-year-old and a 5-year-old were sexually abused after church leaders ignored warnings and allowed the man unfettered access within church programs and a daycare run by the church, highlighting alleged negligence in supervision.

• May 2025 — Large LDS lawsuit settlement: In mid-2025, the LDS Church agreed in principle to resolve more than 100 sexual abuse lawsuits filed in California under a temporary look-back law that reopened the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims. These cases, many alleging abuse by bishops and other church leaders and claims that internal reporting systems shielded abusers, were being negotiated toward confidential settlements, with individual payouts to vary by claim strength and harm.

These lawsuits are part of a growing body of legal actions seeking to hold the LDS Church leadership accountable to their communities for abuse and institutional secrecy.able for patterns of abuse and institutional secrecy.  

What you should know about Mormon Church sexual abuse investigations

Many individuals who experienced abuse  may choose to remain active in their faith. Others still maintain close family ties within the Church. Requesting a confidential legal review does not take away from those relationships nor should it define your loyalties and intentions.

Taking the next step forward can help you clearly understand your options and the legal pathways available to you — on your terms, and in your own time.

If you’re considering a confidential review, the following common questions about Mormon Church sexual abuse investigations may help explain what to expect.

• Is there a lawsuit involving the LDS Church and sexual abuse?

Yes, hundreds of lawsuits are underway. A legal consultation can help individuals understand their rights, which statutes apply, and how to proceed based on location and timing.

• Can individuals who suffered harm come forward years later?

Many states have enacted lookback or revival statutes that allow individuals to file civil lawsuits decades after the abuse occurred, even if the original statute of limitations has expired. Some individuals are coming forward now with claims of abuse that happened 20–30+ years ago, especially in cases involving institutions like the LDS Church.

• What if I never reported the abuse before?

It’s well documented that many individuals who experience sexual abuse delay reporting due to trauma, fear, shame, or other factors. Advocacy networks and legal resources note that this is common and does not bar survivors from seeking legal action in states with extended or eliminated statutes.

• Do I have to take legal action?

No, you don’t. A consultation will only assess your eligibility to take part in a potential Mormon Church abuse lawsuit. Any further action is solely at your discretion.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.