New Lawsuits Detail Systemic Sex Abuse Coverup by Mormon Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is facing a wave of new lawsuits filed by victims of child sexual abuse who claim a systemic coverup by church leadership enabled the abuse and failed to protect child victims.

These lawsuits, filed by attorneys from Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel on behalf of former members, paint a disturbing picture of a church that prioritized protecting its reputation over safeguarding its members.

A Pattern of Abuse and Cover-up

The lawsuits filed in California and Utah state courts detail harrowing accounts of sexual abuse perpetrated by church leaders and members.

• The Santa Barbara Stake Scandal: According to a lawsuit filed in California state court, leaders of the Santa Barbara Stake of the LDS allowed known pedophile priest Michael Shean to be reinstated in the priesthood. Shean had been excommunicated after several children accused him of sexual abuse. The church leadership did not report Shean to police. Instead, he was re-baptized and reinstated into the priesthood with no restrictions on access to children. According to the lawsuit, Shean sexually abused an 8-year-old boy during “spiritual counseling” sessions in 1994.
• The Long Beach Stake Abuse: Another California lawsuit claims that elders in the Long Beach California East Stake sexually abused a 12-year-old boy and his two brothers during bible study sessions. According to the lawsuit, the perpetrators used their positions of authority and respect to abuse the children, who were too afraid to report the abuse at the time.
• The Whittier Stake Abuse: A third lawsuit, filed in California, alleges that a female church elder sexually abused a 9-year-old boy while babysitting him. The victim’s mother and aunt reported the abuse to the bishop of the stake, who took no action.

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These recent lawsuits are just the latest in a long line of allegations of sexual abuse within the LDS Church. For decades, the church has been accused of implementing policies that protect abusers and silence victims. A 2021 investigation by The Associated Press revealed that the church’s policies were designed to protect its reputation and finances, rather than its members.

The church’s handling of abuse cases has been widely criticized by survivors and advocates. Many argue that the church’s focus on secrecy and internal discipline has allowed abusers to continue their crimes for years.

The Impact on Survivors

The victims of sexual abuse within the church have suffered immense trauma. Many have struggled with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse because of their experiences. The church’s alleged failure to protect them has only compounded their pain.

How We Help Sex Abuse Victims 

Our national sexual abuse lawyers work one-on-one with survivors, offering a direct, personal level of care and discretion. We use our decades of experience battling big organizations to fight on behalf of survivors, aggressively taking on those responsible for causing pain and suffering. If you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, we can help.