LDS Church Sex Abuse Lawsuits

In recent years, churches and religious organizations have faced mounting liabilities related to civil sex abuse lawsuits. This page will look at civil sex abuse lawsuits involving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the “LDS Church”), which is often referred to as the Mormon Church. We will explain the legal claims that can be asserted in these cases to hold the LDS Church liable, and we will examine the potential settlement value of Mormon Church sex abuse lawsuits.

About the LDS Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often abbreviated as the LDS Church or informally known as the Mormon Church) is a Christian denomination founded in the early 19th century in the United States. The LDS Church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and a large percentage of LDS members live in Utah.

The LDS Church is fairly large in terms of the size of its members. There are nearly 7 million LDS Church members in the U.S. and another 8 million outside the U.S. The Mormon church also has significant financial resources compared to many other churches.

The net worth of the LDS church is currently estimated to be around $265 billion – with “tithing” donations from church members estimated at $5 billion annually. That makes the Mormon church one of the wealthiest religious institutions in the world. If the LDS Church were a corporation it would rank on the Fortune 500.

Sex Abuse Claims Against The LDS Church

Like all churches in the U.S. recently, the LDS Church has faced several allegations and legal cases related to sexual abuse, some involving church leaders, volunteers, or members. These claims have raised concerns over how the church has handled reports of abuse and its failure or reluctance to address issues of abuse aggressively.

In recent years, multiple plaintiffs have alleged that the Church and various officials failed to adequately protect their children from sexual abuse. While some civil cases have concluded with confidential settlements, Church leadership has consistently denied any misconduct, leading to accusations that institutional preservation is more important to the church than the well-being and needs of abuse survivors.

The LDS “Help Line”

One of the sharpest criticisms of the LDS church and its response to sexual abuse has been the church’s sexual abuse “Help Line.” The LDS Church sex abuse “helpline” is actually operated by its defense law firm, Kirton McConkie. Not surprisingly, the help line appears to be primarily focused on chilling claims and limiting the church’s legal liabilities.

The LDS Church help line drew national attention and scorn after a high profile lawsuit filed in Arizona in 2022. The lawsuit accused the church of failing to report child sexual abuse after it was disclosed in a bishop’s interview. The bishop contacted the LDS “help line” and was reportedly advised not to report, citing clergy-penitent privilege. This case drew national media attention.

Sex Abuse Lawsuits Against Churches

Until recently, survivors of sexual abuse by clergy or within religious institutions had limited legal recourse. Civil lawsuits were often barred due to expired statutes of limitations, preventing many victims from seeking justice.

Today, however, legislative changes are shifting the landscape. Numerous states have revised their laws to extend—or in some cases, eliminate—the statute of limitations for civil claims related to sexual abuse. Additionally, growing evidence that some church authorities were aware of the abuse and actively worked to conceal it has increasingly opened the door for holding religious institutions accountable in court.

The new laws expanding the legal deadlines for filing claims, combined with increased public attention and awareness have led to a growing wave of church sex abuse lawsuits over the last decade. Most of the focus of these lawsuits has been on abuse within the Catholic Church, but the LDS Church and other institutions have facing significant liability and claims also.

Holding Churches Liable For Sexual Abuse

Churches can be held liable for sexual abuse based on negligence. In many situations, churches have a legal duty to ensure that church members (including children) are reasonably safe. This duty includes an obligation to ensure that clergy or other church officials are not sexually abusing children under their supervision.

When a church negligently breaches this duty, it can be held liable in a civil lawsuit if that negligence resulted in sexual abuse. Most negligence claims against the LDS and other churches involve allegations that the church was negligent in failing to properly investigate allegations of abuse by church officials, and in some cases actively covering up that abuse.

Timeline of LDS Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

2018: Major media outlets begin reporting on abuse inside the LDS Church, drawing comparisons to Catholic Church scandals. Investigations highlight how church leadership may have failed to protect children and instead prioritized institutional reputation.

2019: Survivors in Utah and Idaho file lawsuits alleging that bishops ignored or concealed abuse. The existence of the Church’s “help line,” operated by legal counsel, becomes a central focus of criticism.

2020: Additional lawsuits reveal how the Church allegedly used privilege protections to avoid disclosing abuse. Plaintiffs begin to deep dive in pretrial discovery into the LDS Church’s internal processes as part of broader institutional negligence claims.

2021: California and Arizona pass laws to revive time-barred child sex abuse claims, creating new opportunities for victims to file. LDS Church lawsuits start appearing in these jurisdictions under the new windows.

2022: A headline-making Arizona lawsuit alleges that the LDS help line that we talk about above instructed a bishop not to report known child sexual abuse. The case sparks national outrage and drives increased legal scrutiny of the Church’s internal policies.

2023: Confidential settlements are reached in cases involving abuse during Church-run preschool and youth activities. Multiple lawsuits challenge how the LDS Church responded to repeated warnings about specific abusers.

2024: Dozens of new lawsuits are filed in Washington, Oregon, and California. Several settlements exceed $1 million. Discovery in multiple cases reveals internal Church documents related to abuse allegations and possible concealment.

2025: Pressure mounts as more survivors file lawsuits under extended filing deadlines. Advocacy organizations demand policy reforms, while courts begin setting trial dates and weighing motions for punitive damages.

LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuits and Settlements

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen a growing wave of civil litigation in recent years, with many survivors filing LDS sexual abuse lawsuits that accuse the Church of failing to protect children from known abusers. While much public attention historically focused on Catholic clergy, the Mormon Church sexual abuse lawsuits now reflect similar allegations—systemic concealment, use of legal loopholes, and institutional prioritization of reputation over victim safety.

Many of these lawsuits allege that local bishops and church officials were aware of the abuse, but either failed to act or actively discouraged reporting to the police. Internal policies like the LDS Church’s “help line” have come under scrutiny for channeling abuse reports through a legal filter designed to minimize liability rather than stop abuse. As more of these internal practices come to light, it is no surprise that LDS church abuse lawsuits and latter day saints scandals are being filed with increasing frequency in jurisdictions with favorable laws.

There is a clear pattern: plaintiffs allege that the Church created an environment where abuse could thrive, and then used its legal resources to avoid public accountability. Several high-profile LDS church settlements have already been reached, and the most recent LDS lawsuit updates suggest more are likely coming. In some cases, survivors have secured confidential resolutions; in others, claims have resulted in multi-million dollar public verdicts that reflect juries’ anger over institutional misconduct.

The litigation is also evolving. What began as isolated personal injury claims is now expanding into broader efforts, including potential LDS church class action lawsuits that mirror similar legal movements against other religious institutions. The Church’s considerable financial assets—estimated at $265 billion—make it a particularly visible target for plaintiffs’ sex abuse lawyers. From an institutional defense standpoint, the Church is likely to continue resisting newly filed claim but rolling over and over fair compensation to those who are genuinely injured.

It is tempting to treat the LDS Church as a single, unified institution marching in lockstep. But the reality is messier. The Church is made up of individuals with different priorities, different moral instincts, and different responses to the abuse crisis. Some genuinely want to do the right thing and make victims whole with fair settlement compensation. Others want to dig in and resist these claims, and make it harder for plaintiffs’ lawyers to take them on.

Damages Available In LDS Sex Abuse Cases

Victims who successfully pursue sexual abuse lawsuits against the LDS Church may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Civil damages in these cases can cover a wide range of losses, including:

Medical Expenses: Survivors can receive compensation for all past and future medical costs directly related to the abuse, including long-term mental health counseling and therapy.
Pain and Suffering: Emotional and psychological trauma often represent the most substantial aspect of damages, given the profound and lasting impact of abuse.
Lost Income: If a survivor can demonstrate that the abuse affected their ability to earn income—either through lost job opportunities or reduced lifetime earnings—they may recover damages for that loss.
Punitive Damages: In some states, courts may award punitive damages to punish the institution or individual responsible and to deter similar misconduct in the future.

Settlements and Verdicts in LDS Sex Abuse Cases

Below is a summary of publicly known settlements and jury verdicts involving sexual abuse allegations tied to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). These are only the cases that made it into daylight. Many more settlements are locked behind confidentiality agreements—silenced with non-disclosure clauses that prevent victims and their families from ever speaking publicly. What we do know paints a consistent picture: some cases end quietly with checks and closed files, others go to trial and expose institutional failures. But across the board, these outcomes reflect a deeper pattern of avoidance, delay, and the Church’s long history of protecting itself first.

Below is a summary of publicly known settlements and jury verdicts involving sexual abuse allegations tied to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). These are only the cases that made it into daylight. Many more remain hidden behind confidentiality clauses that prevent victims from ever speaking out. What is public shows a clear pattern: some cases are resolved with quiet checks and NDAs, others reach trial and expose deeper institutional failures—but all point to the Church’s long history of protecting itself first.

🟦 Washington – $1,100,000 Settlement (2024)

A young boy was repeatedly abused at an LDS-operated preschool. The lawsuit claimed bishops were told but discouraged the family from pressing charges. The Church quietly settled for over $1 million.

🟦 California – $995,000 Settlement (2024)

A young girl disclosed repeated sexual abuse by a Church member. Despite multiple reports to Church authorities, no action was taken. The case settled just under the million-dollar mark.

🟦 California – $2,280,000,000 Verdict (2023)

One of the largest verdicts in U.S. abuse litigation history. A jury awarded $2.28 billion to a woman abused by her stepfather, a Church member. The LDS Church settled its portion separately for $1 million.

🟦 California – $1,000,000 Settlement (2023)

A plaintiff who endured years of abuse by her stepfather at Church facilities received a $1 million settlement. The suit alleged multiple complaints were ignored by LDS leaders.

🟦 West Virginia – $32,000,000 Settlement (2018)

The Church paid $32 million to settle claims involving a member’s son who sexually abused numerous children. Plaintiffs alleged the Church knew of the danger and failed to act.

🟦 Oregon – $800,000 and $75,000 Settlements (2011)

Two survivors of abuse by a Church-affiliated scout leader received settlements. Allegations included negligent supervision and failure to report prior misconduct.

🟦 California – $100,000 Settlement (2009)

A Church member was accused of abusing a child at a Mormon chapel and other Church locations. The LDS Church resolved the civil suit for $100,000 without admitting fault.

🟦 Washington – $1,200,000 Verdict (2000)

A jury found the Church liable after two girls were abused by their stepfather. The case helped establish that LDS leadership could be held accountable for failing to act on abuse reports.

Your Rights by State: Filing an LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Your legal rights as a survivor of LDS sexual abuse depend heavily on where the abuse happened. Some states have passed new laws that let people file lawsuits even if the abuse happened decades ago. Other states have not caught up, but that does not always stop a case. In reality, many claims settle even after the statute of limitations has passed because the Church wants to resolve the issue quietly and get it off their books. So our LDS Church sex abuse lawyers are reviewing all claims, including those that missed the deadline to file.

Here is a look at where things stand in several key states:

Utah: The law is still restrictive, but pressure is building. Lawmakers have introduced bills to open filing windows for childhood sex abuse survivors, including many who were abused within the LDS Church.
California: Thanks to the Child Victims Act and AB 218, survivors have been able to file old claims through an extended lookback window. Many LDS abuse cases have come out of California in recent years.
Arizona: Recent court rulings have limited the Church’s ability to hide behind clergy privilege, especially when internal records show knowledge of abuse. This has opened the door to more lawsuits.
New York: A major revival window led to a wave of lawsuits, including high-dollar verdicts and settlements.
Illinois and New Jersey: These states have statute of limitations laws that strongly support vicitms.
Hawaii: Multiple revival windows have been enacted over the past decade, and LDS abuse claims have been part of the litigation.
Oregon and Washington: Both states have seen active litigation. Washington in particular has produced recent seven-figure settlements involving LDS institutions.
West Virginia: A notable $32 million settlement involving the LDS Church shows that even in less active states, serious claims can and do move forward.
Nevada, and Colorado: These are emerging battlegrounds. Victims and lawmakers are pushing hard for change, and lawsuits are beginning to surface even in cases that seemed time-barred.

We are currently reviewing LDS abuse claims in dozens of states. If you are not sure whether your claim is still valid, we can help you figure it out. You may still have a path forward, even if the abuse happened years ago.

Contact Us About LDS Sex Abuse Lawsuits

If you have a potential sex abuse lawsuit against the LDS Church, contact our national sex abuse lawyers today. Call us at 888-322-3010 or contact us online.