LDS Sex Abuse LAWSUITS

MORMON CHURCH SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for LDS Sex Abuse Survivors Nationwide

If you or someone you love were sexually abused by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you may have grounds to pursue legal action and a financial recovery of your damages.

The Mormon Church has been under fire for decades over claims of sexual abuse. Investigations and lawsuits show numerous incidents of sexual abuse within the LDS Church, along with allegations that the Church has for years maintained an internal system to cover up abuse.

Now, thanks to the passage of survivor-friendly legislation in states across the country, survivors of sexual abuse within the LDS church are standing up in record numbers to share their stories and hold the Mormon Church accountable.

Decades of Legal Filings, Investigations Detail History of Sexual Abuse in the Mormon Church

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Decades of Legal Filings, Investigations Detail History of Sexual Abuse in the Mormon Church

Sweeping investigations, legal filings, and criminal arrests have contributed to a growing cache of evidence about sexual abuse within the Mormon Church.

According to reports, the LDS fostered an insulated culture that enabled LDS bishops, clergy, and church members to sexually abuse parishioners.

Some examples include:

On January 30^th, 2024, Rhett Hintze a “stake president” in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was charged by the Pennsylvania State Police. The charges allege that he did not report accusations of child sex abuse against a former bishop, Boy Scout leader, and attorney in central Pennsylvania in connection to the July 2023 charges against Shawn Gooden
In April 2023, a jury in Riverside County, California awarded $2.8 billion in damages to a woman who had been sexually abused for years by her stepfather at her Mormon Church and other locations. According to the suit, rather than notifying authorities after she disclosed the abuse, a bishop and other Mormon Church leaders held a meeting and instructed her to forgive her stepfather, and ultimately shamed her into silence. The church settled its part of the lawsuit for $1 million prior to the jury’s award.

What is the Statute of Limitations for LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuits?

Like other civil “torts,” or legal actions that seek a recovery of damages, sexual abuse lawsuits are subject to a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. If you have a potential sexual abuse claim, it’s important to know the statute of limitations that applies to your case, as survivors are generally barred from filing lawsuits and recovering compensation if the statute of limitations has expired.

Unfortunately, it’s not easy for survivors to accurately assess the statute of limitations applicable to their claim. That’s because laws regarding filing deadlines vary depending on several factors, including:

The state where your abuse occurred. States can have vastly different statutes of limitations for civil sexual abuse lawsuits, as well as nuanced rules or requirements.
Your age at the time of abuse. Most states differentiate between claims involving survivors who were abused by adults and survivors who were abused as children. While survivors of childhood sexual abuse are typically granted more time to file, that time may not always be significant.

Some state-specific examples of the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse cases and pending or recently passed survivor-friendly laws include:

In Maryland, a new law has removed the statute of limitations on child sex abuse claims and revived claims that previously expired.
In Pennsylvania, a pending bill would create a temporary two-year window for survivors to file claims.
In Maine, new laws lifted the statute of limitations for all child sexual abuse lawsuits and created an indefinite lookback window for survivors with previously time-barred claims

In Utah, survivors of child sexual abuse are permitted to file civil claims against abusers no matter how long ago their abuse occurred, but claims against institutions are capped at age 23 or within 4 years of the date of discovery.

Mass Tort vs. Class Action

Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:

Individual Perpetrator

The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.

Institutions and Organizations

If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.

Employers

If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.

Property Owners

If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.

Government Entities

In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.

Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action.