LDS Church Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys Standing Up for Latter-Day Saints Survivors — Seeking Justice and Fair Compensation
In every state across the country—and all over the world—the Church of Latter Day Saints wields power over its members, and particularly over women and children in its congregations. Although this religious organization has a well-documented Church culture that contributes to abuse and silences the vulnerable, survivors of abuse don’t have to face the consequences of assault and exploitation alone. The dedicated Church of Latter Day Saints sex abuse lawyers at Anapol Weiss have a record of standing up against powerful institutions and holding them fully accountable for enabling or covering up abuse.
We know how much courage it takes to come forward as a survivor of abuse, especially when you’ve been raised to defer to Church leaders without question—but we also know how critical it is that you receive the compassionate support you deserve. Through civil legal action, we secure justice, accountability, and financial resources that help survivors of abuse heal physically and emotionally and find a path forward.
Our firm is committed to standing up for the abused, even when that means taking on influential institutions like the Church of Latter Day Saints. We represent the injured at no upfront cost, because we know that nothing should ever stand in the way of receiving the legal help you need to seek justice after abuse.
Leading the practice area at Anapol Weiss are Alex Walsh, a trailblazer and fierce advocate for those intentionally and negligently harmed by large institutions and Marni Berger, an accomplished trial attorney who has dedicated her career to advocating for abuse survivors and injured victims. Contact Anapol Weiss today, and let our compassionate team review your case, help you understand your legal options, and provide the support you need, starting with a free, confidential consultation.
Sex Abuse in the Church of Latter Day Saints
Abuse of the vulnerable is unacceptable in any situation, but it’s particularly heinous when exploitation and mistreatment occur at the hands of religious leaders who purport to stand for morality.
The perpetrators of abuse and the institutions and religious workers that enable it are not only violating the Church’s own code of ethics. They’re also inflicting life-changing trauma upon victims who, in many cases, trusted these parties and turned to them for spiritual guidance.
When it comes to taking on religious organizations and other institutions that enable abuse, we stand up to these defendants unflinchingly. We don’t back down, no matter how powerful they are or how many resources they have.
Taking on the LDS Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, has 31,676 congregations worldwide, with 14,578 congregations located in the United States. Total LDS Church membership in the U.S. is reported at 6,929,956, with congregations scattered across all 50 states.
With such a large national and international following, the Church commands considerable power and influence—but that doesn’t mean the LDS Church is above the law or the legal consequences of misconduct.
The Church of Latter Day Saints has a rigid structure in which Church leaders hold power over members, particularly youth and females. Overseeing the LDS Church is a President, also known as the Prophet, as well as two counselors specially selected by the top leader to assist him in his duties. The First Presidency is also assisted by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Regarded by Church members as “special witnesses” of Jesus Christ, the apostles make up the second-highest governing body of the Church, assisting the First Presidency in establishing policy.
Notably, each Stake of the Mormon Church maintains membership records that the Church controls. Within these records are annotations—approved by the First Presidency—regarding sexual offenses conducted by members. The LDS Church expects its members to adhere to a strict code of chastity, even as it has been accused of covering up sexual abuse and assaults on behalf of Church leaders.
With a documented history of childhood sexual abuse carried out by Church members and cover-ups by LDS Church leaders that span more than five decades, there is a plethora of litigation against the Mormon Church in the U.S. and the world at large. Our attorneys have identified 4,060 abuse reports within the Church of Latter Day Saints, as well as more than 4,000 Mormon Church leaders and members accused of committing sexual abuse and more than 360 allegations of concealing sexual abuse.
With hundreds of sex abuse cases pending in civil and criminal court systems against the Church and its leaders and members, it’s clear that abuse of the vulnerable within the Mormon Church is a real and widespread concern—and, importantly, that it’s possible for survivors of such abuse to take legal action against the LDS Church.
A Church Culture That Contributes to Abuse
Practices in the Church of Latter Day Saints enable and facilitate abuse, particularly of vulnerable populations, including youth and women.
“Worthiness” Interviews
The LDS Church requires youth to participate in so-called worthiness interviews, private one-on-one conversations with bishops in which the child is compelled to answer a Church leader’s probing questions about their activities, experiences, and even their thoughts.
These interviews have been criticized for asking intrusive, inappropriate questions about the personal experiences—including age-appropriate romantic relationships with others, sexual experiences with their own bodies, and even “impure” thoughts or feelings—of youth, particularly pre-teen and teenage girls.
Some Mormon girls and women who have been subjected to this practice reported that Church leaders took an “almost voyeuristic pleasure” or seemed to find the interviewee’s responses “titillating,” as The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Because of the Church’s culture and practices, particularly as they pertain to females, the girl—in many cases, a minor—is often left wondering what she did wrong to elicit such a response.
Females’ Place in Mormon Teachings
From an early age, girls raised in the Mormon faith are taught to be deferential to men. They are warned that their behavior—everything from how they dress to how they talk in interactions with males—is to blame for any sexual responses from the males. In particular, girls and women are expected to defer to men in authority, such as Church leaders, as they are considered conduits to God.
Notably, bishops in the LDS Church are exclusively male. The Church still bars women from holding this position today, as NPR reported.
Obscuring the Size of the Church’s Investment Portfolio
When survivors of abuse pursue recourse through the civil legal system, the most tangible outcome of their case is financial compensation. Although nothing can undo the harm they’ve suffered, receiving these resources is critical for accessing the help they need to move forward and addressing both their economic and non-economic losses.
As PBS reported, the LDS Church has been fined for obscuring the size of its investment portfolio over a period of more than 20 years. Presumably, the motive behind these actions was to discourage victims from filing lawsuits against the Church for enabling and covering up sexual abuse.
Despite the LDS Church’s efforts to make it appear otherwise, the institution has resources through which survivors of abuse can recover compensation, thanks in large part to the tithes paid by members of the congregation. The Church collects billions of dollars annually in tithes from its loyal members—typically, receiving as much as 10% of its members’ annual income—and the non-profit entity it has established, Ensign Peak Advisors, manages a vast investment portfolio that reportedly exceeds $100 billion.
Individuals and families who have been affected by sexual abuse at the hands of Church leaders—or by abuse by other Church members that has been covered up by the Church—deserve justice, accountability, and full financial compensation. You can achieve all of these outcomes through a sex abuse lawsuit against the Mormon Church.
A History of Cover-Ups
The Church of Latter Day Saints has been accused of covering up sexual abuse—not only recently, but for decades.
While the Church maintains its own 24-hour “helpline” for victims to report abuse, reports made through the hotline are not transferred immediately to the police or other authorities, as VICE News reported. Instead, the hotline has allegedly been used to:
- Provide the Church with an opportunity to intervene in matters of reportable sexual abuse or assault
- Assess whether the reported conduct constitutes a financial risk to the Church
- Prevent public disclosure of abuse by transferring matters to the Church’s attorneys and subsequently claiming that the conversations fall under attorney-client privilege
- Conceal abuse that could result in legal consequences for the Church or high-ranking leaders
Further, PBS reported that the LDS Church keeps abuse a secret through means such as discouraging clergy from testifying in legal matters and paying claimants to accept confidentiality agreements.
Help and Legal Support From Experienced, Compassionate LDS Church Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys
We recognize that sexual abuse, or coverups of such abuse, at the hands of the LDS Church is more than inappropriate—it’s a terrible betrayal of your trust.
You didn’t deserve to be exploited, assaulted, or abused in any form. What you do deserve is compassionate support throughout your journey to hold the Church accountable.
The Church of Latter Day Saints sex abuse lawyers at Anapol Weiss believe in standing up for what’s right—and, particularly, for the injured and abused. We give victims a voice in the legal system while still maintaining their privacy and their dignity.
We approach every case with the utmost compassion, recognizing the trauma our clients have been through and committing to pursuing every avenue of legal recourse available. Our advocates know how important it is to hold institutions accountable for practices that enable abuse or deliberately conceal misconduct. We’re working to not only hold the LDS Church liable for past instances of abuse but also to prevent further abuse and exploitation by bringing these practices to light.
The prospect of suing the Mormon Church can seem overwhelming, but with our experienced team on your side, you’ll never face any stage of this process alone. We’ll be there to provide the constant advocacy and trusted legal guidance necessary to bring to justice your abuser and the institution that enabled their unacceptable conduct.
How Anapol Weiss Helps Survivors of Sexual Abuse
From the moment a survivor of sexual assault or exploitation contacts our office, we’re ready to act. During a free, no-obligation consultation, we will listen to your story and assess your legal options. We will answer your questions about what the legal process might look like and how we will work to secure justice while maintaining your privacy to the fullest extent possible.
We can advise you on the ways that taking legal action can help you move forward, from getting the closure and validation you need to help you heal to receiving fair compensation to address the full scope of your losses. You can feel safe discussing the details of your case with our LDS Church abuse lawsuit attorneys, who approach your situation with sensitivity, professionalism, and a commitment to confidentiality.
Throughout every stage of the legal process, we handle every duty, deadline, and procedural demand. We gather evidence through our extensive investigations, file claims paperwork and legal documents, and build a claim against every liable party. By handling every interaction with the opposing side for you, we ensure your safety from continued mistreatment by Church leaders and their attorneys.
Although our sexual abuse attorneys pursue maximum compensation for our clients, our goal isn’t just to secure a payout. It’s to champion the cause of the abused, bring the defendant’s misconduct to light, and achieve an outcome that equips you to move forward with your life.
Sex Abuse Settlements and Verdicts Against the LDS Church
Using specialized legal research tools, our attorneys have identified numerous settlements and verdicts involving the Church of Latter Day Saints that amount to more than $51 million, with the individual values of these cases ranging from the low four figures up to $32 million.
Among the prior verdicts and settlements in sexual abuse cases against the LDS Church are:
- A $32 million settlement that occurred mid-trial in 2013 in a West Virginia case involving a series of assaults of young children by a perpetrator, the grandson of a Church leader, who had formerly been criminally charged with felony sexual assault—with the Church ultimately spending $60 million over five years to defend and settle the case
- A $4.2 million jury verdict awarded on behalf of two sisters in King County, Washington, in 2005 (subsequently reduced to $1.2 million)
- A $4 million verdict reached in Montgomery County, Texas, in 1998 in the case of an 8-year-old boy abused by a serial predator who was known to have abused at least four other boys from the Magnolia LDS Church between 1983 and 1994
- A 1999 jury verdict reached in Harris County, Texas, for $4 million in compensatory damages
- A $3 million settlement in a 2001 case in Multnomah County, Oregon, in which an 88-year-old member of the clergy moved into the home of a family in Portland, where he abused an 11-year-old boy in the household
- A $3 million settlement reached in Jefferson County, Texas, in 1994, in a case involving a months-long pattern of sexual abuse of an 8-year-old, including acts that occurred in the Church building (both in unoccupied rooms and in the church pew)
- A $2 million settlement reached in Pomona County, California, in 1993 over the molestation of a 13-year-old while on a Church-related camping trip and the LDS Church’s alleged cover-up of the reported abuse
- A $2 million settlement awarded in 1992 for the Virginia-based abuse of eight boys by a Mormon Church member and cub scout leader who not only had a prior conviction of crimes of a sexual nature but also allegedly abused as many as 41 victims
- A $1.5 million settlement reached in Riverside County, California, in 2019 in a case in which an employee was accused of sexually abusing a minor attending daycare on Church property
- An April 2023 jury verdict involving multiple defendants for $2.28 billion, in which the Church settled for $1 million pre-trial
Reports indicate that the Church has spent approximately $1 billion to date to compensate sexual abuse victims, with the average settlement payout ranging from $275,000 to $350,000. With the right help and guidance, it’s possible to secure financial resources in an amount that can help you afford the care you need to help you heal physically and emotionally, as well as address the far-reaching financial impacts of this trauma on your life.
Why Choose Anapol Weiss as Your Church of Latter Day Saints Sex Abuse Lawyers?
For experienced Church of Latter Day Saints sex abuse lawyers you can count on, Anapol Weiss is the clear choice. Clients choose our firm based on our reputation for fighting for survivors of abuse, our record of successfully suing influential defendants, and the compassion we bring to each case.
Unrivaled Advocacy for Abuse Victims
Our firm’s commitment to standing up for the abused is unmatched. The mistreatment you suffered and its effects on your life aren’t just another claim to us. Your case is a fight for justice, and we champion your cause throughout the legal process through our unwavering advocacy. In addition to standing up for victims of LDS Church abuse, we have represented the abused and exploited in cases against government institutions, influential individuals, and major corporations.
A History of Results Against Powerful Defendants
Anapol Weiss has successfully litigated thousands of cases in state and federal courts, securing billions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We have a history of standing up to defendants with abundant resources and influence, including corporations, government entities, religious institutions, and more. We’re committed to leveling the playing field in the legal process, ensuring that victims of abuse have the comprehensive support they need to bring institutions like the Mormon Church to justice.
Compassionate, Client-Centered Approach
As you’re confronting the LDS Church for failures that enabled or covered up abuse, you need legal counsel that recognizes the trauma you have been through and handles your case with sensitivity to your needs and compassion for your struggles. Our attorneys take a client-focused approach, working to minimize any stress associated with the legal process and provide support throughout your claim. With significant female leadership and a dedicated Women’s Health Litigation Team, we’re uniquely equipped to aid girls, women, and children in holding Church leaders accountable while ensuring you feel safe to share your story.
Contact the Church of Latter Day Saints Sex Abuse Lawyers at Anapol Weiss Today for a Free Case Review
By offering skilled legal services on a contingency basis, we ensure that all survivors of sexual abuse in the LDS Church have access to an award-winning legal team without ever having to worry about upfront costs.
Our nationally recognized injury law firm is investigating claims of sexual abuse against the LDS Church in all 50 states, including in California, where a pending potential 2025 settlement of numerous claims against the Church does not prevent new claims from being filed throughout the state.
Don’t wait another day to take the first step toward securing justice through the civil legal system. For help from compassionate LDS Church abuse lawsuit attorneys with experience taking on powerful institutions, contact Anapol Weiss online or call 215-608-9645 today.