Survivors of childhood sexual abuse connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the “LDS Church”) are increasingly coming forward to seek accountability and compensation. Many describe patterns familiar from other institutional abuse cases: grooming by trusted leaders, internal handling of complaints instead of reporting to police, and lifelong trauma that surfaces decades later.
In the FAQ below, the sexual abuse attorneys at Kherkher Garcia explain what these lawsuits allege, where current litigation stands, who may have a claim, and how a skilled attorney can help safeguard your rights.
Current Litigation at a Glance
California Filings after the Look-Back Window
California’s three-year revival window for time-barred child sexual-assault claims led to a wave of LDS-related cases . Reports indicate nearly 100 allegations were filed in the state, several in San Diego County. Plaintiffs allege that bishops and other leaders abused them and that the Church failed to report or stop known abuse. Some plaintiffs’ lawyers have pushed for centralized case management.
Arizona “Clergy-Penitent Privilege” Dispute
A high-profile Arizona case centers on whether a bishop had a legal duty to report a member’s confession of child abuse. After a 2023 dismissal based on clergy-penitent privilege, an appellate court in July 2025 revived the suit, holding a jury should decide whether reporting was required under state law. The Church has said it acted in accordance with Arizona law and intends to appeal.
Allegations about Internal Handling And Hotlines
Investigations have reported that Church guidance and legal hotlines sometimes routed allegations to counsel, which critics say deterred reporting to law enforcement. The Church publicly states that abuse is inexcusable and that leaders must stop abuse, help victims, and follow legal reporting requirements.
Changing Time-Limit Laws
Statutes of limitations for civil child-sex-abuse claims vary and are evolving. Several states extend time for adults to sue and/or open revival windows. Always check your state’s current law, as deadlines are crucial.
Important: Litigation is active and laws change. Survivors should consult counsel promptly to understand deadlines in their state.
Why People Are Filing Lawsuits
Survivors file to:
- Seek accountability from individual perpetrators and, where the facts support it, from institutions that knew or should have known about abuse but failed to act.
- Obtain compensation for medical care, therapy, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- Create transparency about past practices—including allegations that internal procedures or advice lines prioritized institutional risk management over public reporting.
- Prevent future harm by driving reforms in reporting, screening, and supervision.
- Exercise newly available rights where revival windows or extended statutes allow claims that were previously time-barred.
FAQs about LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Who can bring an LDS sexual abuse lawsuit?
Anyone who was sexually abused as a child by an LDS leader, volunteer, member, or affiliated adult may have a claim. Depending on the facts, claims can be brought against the perpetrator and, in some cases, against institutions (local units or the Church) for negligence, negligent supervision, negligent retention, failure to warn, or related torts.
Is it too late to file if the abuse happened decades ago?
Not necessarily. Many states have extended limitation periods for civil child-sex-abuse claims or created revival windows that reopen otherwise time-barred cases—California’s window, for example, enabled a surge of LDS-related filings. The precise deadlines are state-specific and time-sensitive, so survivors should speak with counsel immediately.
What does “clergy-penitent privilege” mean for my case?
Clergy-penitent privilege can protect confidential religious communications in some circumstances. But the scope and exceptions vary by state, and courts disagree about when the privilege applies. In July 2025, an Arizona appellate court said a jury should decide whether church officials had a duty to report a member who confessed abuse—illustrating that privilege questions can be contested and fact-dependent.
What kinds of damages are available?
Possible compensation can include therapy and counseling costs, past and future medical care, lost wages/earning capacity, pain and suffering, and in appropriate cases, punitive damages meant to punish and deter egregious misconduct. State law governs the types and amounts of damages.
Do I have to publicly reveal my name?
Many courts allow survivors to proceed as John/Jane Doe to protect privacy. Your lawyer can request anonymity and seek protective orders to limit disclosure of sensitive information. Whether anonymity is granted can vary by jurisdiction and judge.
What evidence is useful if the abuse was long ago?
Even if decades have passed, evidence can include: your own account; contemporaneous notes or journals; disclosures you made to anyone; church records (appointments, callings, disciplinary minutes); therapist or medical records; emails or letters; and testimony from friends, leaders, or family. Experienced counsel know how to locate and preserve institutional records through subpoenas and discovery.
What if I reported inside the Church but not to police?
Internal reporting does not foreclose civil claims. In fact, some lawsuits allege that complaints were kept inside ecclesiastical channels or routed to legal advice lines instead of law enforcement—an issue central to several filings and investigative reporting. Your legal rights don’t depend on whether leaders complied with their own policies.
Can the LDS Church be held responsible for what a local leader did?
It depends on proof. Plaintiffs may pursue theories such as negligent hiring/retention, negligent supervision, failure to train, failure to report, or concealment. Courts will examine what the Church or its agents knew or should have known, what policies existed, how complaints were handled, and whether failures contributed to the harm.
Will filing a claim affect my membership or standing?
Civil litigation is separate from ecclesiastical matters. Some survivors remain members; others do not. Your decision to file is a personal one centered on safety, healing, and accountability. Your attorney can help safeguard you from retaliation and seek court orders as needed.
What if the perpetrator has died, or memories are painful to revisit?
Many cases proceed even when perpetrators are deceased or evidence is old. Courts allow discovery into institutional knowledge and policies, and juries can weigh survivor testimony together with documents and witnesses. Trauma-informed counsel can help you share your story at a pace that respects your well-being.
Do these cases settle, or do they go to trial?
Both occur. Some cases resolve in confidential settlements; others proceed to motion practice or trial. Trends can shift as courts decide privilege questions, statutes of limitations, and institutional liability. Media coverage shows active negotiations and motions in multiple jurisdictions, especially where look-back windows have produced clusters of cases.
How long will a case take, and what will it cost me up front?
Serious civil cases often take months to years. Many attorneys (including our firm) handle these matters on a contingency fee, meaning you pay no fees unless we recover money for you. Case expenses are typically advanced by the firm and reimbursed from any recovery—details are set out in a written fee agreement.
I’m worried about re-traumatization. How do firms protect clients?
Kherkher Garcia operates using a trauma-informed approach. We offer flexible scheduling, survivor-centered pacing, coordination with therapists, careful deposition preparation, and protective orders for sensitive information. Your well-being is as important as the legal strategy.
How Kherkher Garcia Helps Survivors of Sexual Abuse
At Kherkher Garcia, our mission is to protect survivors and pursue the accountability they deserve. Here’s what we do:
- Confidential, trauma-informed intake. We listen first. Your consultation is private and pressure-free, focused on your safety and goals.
- Deadline triage. We immediately assess statutes of limitations and any state-specific revival windows so you don’t lose your rights by waiting.
- Evidence development. Our team investigates institutional knowledge and patterns: prior complaints, leader assignments, disciplinary records, training materials, and communications. We use subpoenas and discovery to pursue records and depose key witnesses.
- Strategic forum selection. Where multiple jurisdictions are possible (for example, residence vs. place of abuse vs. corporate location), we analyze laws and procedures to place your case where it is strongest.
- Litigation and negotiation. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, while exploring settlement when it serves the client’s interests. We stay current on developments in LDS litigation—including rulings on clergy privilege and centralized case management—so strategy evolves with the law.
- No upfront fees. We advance case costs and work on contingency. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney’s fee.
Get the Legal Help You Need
If you or someone you love suffered sexual abuse connected to the LDS Church, whether by a bishop, leader, volunteer, or member, you are not alone, and you have options. Time limits can be short and changing.
Contact Kherkher Garcia today for a free, confidential consultation with an attorney who understands the unique issues in LDS cases. We will explain your rights, protect your privacy, and fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve. Get started now by calling us at 713-333-1030. You can also request more information by submitting our online contact form.
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