LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Holding the Mormon Church Accountable
Holding the Mormon Church Accountable for Institutional Abuse and Cover-Ups
Sexual abuse lawsuits against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) have expanded rapidly across the United States. Survivors allege that bishops, missionaries, and other church authority figures exploited their positions of trust to commit abuse—and that the Church itself failed to protect children, silenced victims, and shielded abusers from accountability.
At Haug Barron Law Group, we represent survivors of institutional sexual abuse and pursue claims against powerful organizations that prioritized reputation over safety. Our firm is committed to exposing systemic misconduct and securing justice for those harmed by abuse within the LDS Church.
Overview of LDS Sexual Abuse Litigation
The LDS Church has more than 17 million members worldwide and operates through a rigid, hierarchical authority structure. Lawsuits filed across multiple states allege that this structure enabled widespread sexual abuse and discouraged reporting to law enforcement.
These cases closely resemble past institutional abuse litigation involving the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America, where courts ultimately recognized patterns of organizational negligence, concealment, and failure to protect children.
Survivors now allege similar misconduct by the LDS Church, including:
- Failure to report known or suspected child abuse
- Handling abuse allegations internally instead of involving authorities
- Transferring known abusers to new congregations
- Using ecclesiastical power to silence victims
Key Allegations Against the LDS Church
A Systemic “Culture of Silence”
Plaintiffs allege the LDS Church maintained a long-standing culture of silence, where protecting the institution took priority over protecting children. Abuse allegations were allegedly treated as internal matters rather than crimes requiring mandatory reporting.
This culture forms the foundation of claims for institutional negligence, negligent supervision, and failure to warn.
The LDS “Help Line” and Legal Risk Management
A central focus of current litigation is the Church’s internal “help line.”
According to lawsuits:
- Bishops were instructed to call the help line when abuse was disclosed
- Calls were routed to church-affiliated legal counsel
- The purpose was allegedly to assess legal exposure—not to protect victims
Survivors argue this system delayed or prevented reports to law enforcement and allowed abuse to continue. Evidence surrounding the help line is expected to play a critical role in discovery and trial proceedings.
Ecclesiastical Authority Used to Silence Victims
The LDS Church operates under a doctrine of divinely appointed leadership. Survivors allege that this authority was weaponized to discourage reporting by threatening:
- Excommunication
- Loss of family and community
- Spiritual condemnation
These allegations support claims involving coercion, undue influence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Transfers of Known Abusers
Multiple lawsuits allege that the Church transferred known abusers to new wards or leadership roles without warning congregants or parents. This practice mirrors misconduct identified in other major institutional abuse cases and is a key basis for pattern-and-practice liability.
The Current Litigation Landscape
No Federal MDL — By Design
In April 2025, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied a request to consolidate LDS abuse cases into a federal MDL. While defendants often seek MDLs to centralize and slow litigation, the denial has created strategic advantages for survivors.
Courts found that LDS abuse cases are highly fact-specific, involving:
- Individual wards
- Local leadership decisions
- Unique survivor experiences
As a result, cases proceed in state courts nationwide—allowing parallel discovery, local accountability, and increased settlement pressure.
California’s Child Sexual Abuse Lookback Window (AB 218)
- Window period: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026
- Applies to claims against institutions, including religious organizations
California has become a critical venue for LDS abuse litigation and remains one of the most survivor-protective jurisdictions in the country.
Damages in LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Sexual abuse within a religious institution causes harm far beyond the physical act. Survivors frequently suffer lifelong consequences, including:
Psychological and Emotional Harm
- Complex PTSD from prolonged, authority-based abuse
- Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation
- Severe emotional distress
Spiritual and Identity Trauma
- Loss of faith and religious identity
- Destruction of foundational belief systems
- Alienation from family and community
Life-Impact Damages
- Relationship and intimacy disorders
- Loss of trust in authority figures, including doctors and therapists
- Social ostracism and isolation
- Intergenerational trauma affecting children and families
Courts increasingly recognize these damages as substantial and compensable, particularly in institutional abuse cases.
Why Choose Haug Barron Law Group
Haug Barron Law Group is a litigation-focused personal injury firm with experience taking on large institutions and deep-pocket defendants. We understand how religious organizations operate, how abuse is concealed, and how to build cases that expose systemic misconduct.
When you work with our firm, you can expect:
- Trauma-informed, survivor-first representation
- Aggressive discovery targeting institutional decision-makers
- Strategic litigation in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions
- Absolute confidentiality and respect
We handle LDS sexual abuse cases on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Speak With an LDS Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were sexually abused by an LDS Church leader, missionary, or authority figure, you may still have legal options—even if the abuse occurred decades ago.
The law is changing. Survivors are being heard. Institutions are being held accountable.
If you were sexually abused within the LDS Church, you may still have legal options—even if the abuse occurred years ago. Contact Haug Barron Law Group to speak confidentially with experienced institutional abuse attorneys and explore your path to accountability.
Your consultation is confidential, free, and without obligation.
Contact Haug Barron Law Group Today for a FREE Consultation.