The Mormon Church’s stance on sex abuse claims within the institution is, arguably, at odds with its actions in holding abusers to account and helping victims pursuing justice.
The Church consistently denies reports that any cover-up of sexual abuse is taking place or has taken place within the Church, according to Reuters.
Information available through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints seems to suggest that the Church is taking allegations of abuse seriously. It encourages leaders to help victims, comfort them, and explain to them that the abuse was not their fault. Some of the other steps the Church claims it takes to help battle sexual abuse include:
Helping the Victim and Stopping the Abuse
The Mormon Church states that its priority upon learning of any sexual abuse is to stop abuse and assist the victim. The Church further mentions that it trains Church leaders and provides various resources to leaders and victims of abuse.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
The Church claims that it cooperates fully with civil authorities to investigate allegations of abuse, and generally has a zero-tolerance policy. An offender will, according to the Church, have to face Church discipline and may even be cast out from the Church.
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Taking Concrete Steps to Keep Children Safe
The Church states that it has, in recent years, made sure that all new chapels, classrooms, and meeting houses have adequate windows fitted so children and church officials are visible to parents and others. The Church also mentions that it has implemented a new policy whereby at least two adult leaders have to be present for youth activities and teaching.
Vetting Those in Contact with Children
The Church encourages bishops to review and scour the records of those considered for working with children. All members of the Church have a membership record detailing, among other information, any criminal offenses. If a Church leader has reason to believe that a person may have been involved in any type of abuse, they risk disqualification from working with children and youth.
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Instructing Leaders to Report Abuse
The Church also points to its 24-hour hotline that was set up in 1995. The hotline was installed with the aim to put local leaders in touch with professional counselors and legal professionals to ensure the Church complies with the local abuse reporting laws. The Mormon Church expressly instructs any Church leader to call the hotline in order to prevent abuse.
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Offering Counseling to Victims
The Church asserts that it wants to help victims heal from abuse and offer hope to survivors. The Church also mentions that it offers to pay for professional counseling for some victims of abuse.
Do the Promises Match Up with the Reality?
What the Mormon Church is saying about sex abuse claims seems to suggest that it takes the matter of sexual abuse seriously and has invested heavily in preventing and detecting abuse. However, while outwardly the Church seems to have taken huge strides in dealing with sexual abuse within its communities, the reality seems to lag behind the image, according to recent lawsuits alleging that Church officials attempted to cover up abuse.
Moreover, it seems that if a local leader such as a bishop commits sexual abuse, there is nobody who could hold them to account locally. Leaders of the Mormon Church could potentially go on committing their egregious acts fairly undisturbed due to their seniority within the Church hierarchy. While they have the task of overseeing others, it is unclear who is overseeing them locally.
There have also been allegations that the 24-hour abuse reporting helpline is not helping the victims but rather helping the Church avoid liability and expensive lawsuits. The Church stands accused of putting the calls through to their law firm rather than immediately reporting any abuse to law enforcement.
You Can Take Action
If you or someone you love suffered from sexual abuse within the Mormon Church community, and you have not found much support locally, consider consulting with a sex abuse lawyer for help and advice. A lawyer can help you find resources that could help with your recovery, as well as assist you with holding your abuser accountable for what they did to you. You could also potentially hold the Mormon Church liable if they did not follow up any reports of abuse or tried to cover up what happened to you.
Holding a perpetrator and the Mormon Church responsible can be a frightening step for an abuse victim and their family. However, it is often the only way to get justice and potentially receive the compensation that could help you access services for your recovery and find some closure.
You deserve compassionate help and support, and we can offer that to you. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to determine whether you have a case and could recover compensation. Reach us at (800) 219-9622.
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