For years, survivors have spoken out about sexual abuse within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), sharing painful stories of betrayal and cover-ups. Many claim the institution not only failed to protect them but also worked to keep the truth from coming to light. Now, through multidistrict litigation (MDL), survivors are banding together to hold the church accountable and seek justice.
MDL allows multiple cases with similar claims to be handled as a group, making it easier for survivors to present evidence and build a stronger case. But taking legal action against a powerful organization isn’t simple. The church may try to deny responsibility, and legal challenges—like statute of limitations laws—can make the process even more difficult. This is why having an experienced lawyer by your side can be a game-changer.
If you or someone you love has been affected by abuse within the LDS Church, you don’t have to face this alone. A skilled attorney can help you understand your rights, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the justice you deserve. Take that first step—reach out today to explore your options.
The Truth About the LDS Church Sex Abuse Allegations
Serious claims of sexual abuse within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) have surfaced for years. Many survivors claim church leaders disregarded their pleas for help—or even worse, took steps to hide the abuse. The institution often appeared more concerned with safeguarding its image than holding abusers responsible. This left many victims without justice and allowed the cycle of abuse to persist.
Some sex abuse survivors claim they faced pressure to keep quiet, were told not to go to the police, and received advice to deal with issues "within the church." Others say accused abusers weren't kicked out but just transferred to different congregations, allowing their behavior to continue. Even the church's so-called "helpline" has come under fire, with reports hinting it served more to protect the institution than to help victims.
A 2022 AP probe exposed concerning trends where church policies seemed to prioritize secrecy over justice. In some cases, abuse wasn’t reported to authorities because church officials chose to handle it internally.
The LDS Church faces growing legal challenges. One notable case involves a woman suing the church for $25 million. She claims church leaders ignored sexual abuse by her adoptive father, who was also a church member. Such cases suggest a system that instead of backing survivors, has often tried to keep them quiet.
To be fair, the LDS Church has publicly stated that it has a "zero-tolerance policy" when it comes to abuse. However, critics argue that its actions tell a different story. Survivors and advocates continue to push for real transparency and meaningful change.
How Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) Helps Survivors Seek Justice
When lots of people have similar legal complaints—against a big organization like the LDS Church—taking on those fights one at a time can be too much. That's where Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) steps in. This legal approach bundles similar lawsuits together. It lets survivors share evidence, speed up proceedings, and create stronger cases while keeping their individual claims intact.
In these lawsuits against the LDS Church, many survivors share common experiences—allegations of abuse, claims that church leaders ignored or covered up the wrongdoing, and similar legal roadblocks. Grouping these cases allows attorneys to pool resources, share evidence, and build a stronger argument against the church.
MDL also levels the playing field. Let’s face it—the LDS Church has deep pockets and a team of top-notch lawyers. Going up against them alone can seem impossible. But when survivors join forces through MDL, they become stronger together making it tougher for the church to brush off or postpone justice.
MDL isn't the same as a class-action lawsuit—each case still gets individual treatment—but it gives survivors a chance to push back in a more coordinated and powerful way. And when you're fighting an institution with this much clout having such a legal approach can be a game-changer.
The Legal Hurdles Survivors Face When Suing the LDS Church
Taking legal action against a massive organization like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is challenging. Individuals seeking justice often encounter legal barriers that make the process frustrating and intricate. The church has numerous tactics to attempt to block lawsuits before they begin ranging from deadlines for filing claims to legal technicalities or robust defense approaches.
1. Statute of Limitations – The Time Crunch
A big hurdle survivors encounter is the time limit on filing lawsuits. Many states enforce tight deadlines that require survivors to come forward within a specific number of years after the abuse happened. This creates a challenge—many survivors don't process their trauma or feel ready to speak up until long after. When they do, they often learn it's too late to take legal action.
Some states are taking steps to tackle this problem. Arizona and California have introduced "lookback windows"—short periods when survivors can file lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has run out. These laws give survivors another chance to seek justice, but they have an end date so fast action is key.
2. Can the Church Claim Religious Protection?
Churches often say they're shielded from certain lawsuits because of First Amendment rights. They claim this allows them to deal with internal matters—including abuse allegations—without government interference. But let's get this straight: religious freedom doesn't mean dodging accountability. Many court rulings have proven that churches can still be held responsible when they fail to report or stop abuse.
Still, this defense can stretch out legal battles, and victims need capable attorneys who know how to tackle these arguments.
3. The Church’s Playbook: Delay, Deny, and Deflect
The LDS Church has lots of money and top lawyers ready to fight claims. In previous cases big religious groups have used tactics to delay, made secret settlements, and even pushed survivors to keep quiet. Some survivors say they felt scared or discouraged from going ahead because of the legal obstacles in their way.
One of the main critiques of the LDS Church centers on its "helpline" for abuse victims. While it appears to be a resource for survivors, reports indicate it's used to protect the church from lawsuits by directing complaints to legal teams instead of law enforcement. This has sparked claims that the church tried to keep abuse hidden rather than safeguard victims.
4. The Battle for Evidence
Survivors need proof to win a case. This proof includes internal church documents, records of past complaints, or reports of clergy misconduct. But obtaining that evidence is challenging. The church might claim certain documents are privileged or confidential. This creates obstacles for survivors to prove a pattern of negligence or cover-ups.
Even with obstacles, survivors have beaten religious groups in court before. As more victims speak up, the LDS Church faces mounting pressure to address its past actions.
How MDL Lawyers Support Survivors Seeking Justice
Challenging a powerful organization like the LDS Church can be daunting, but survivors don't need to face this alone. Multidistrict litigation (MDL) attorneys assist victims to build strong cases. They gather evidence, reveal cover-ups, and push for genuine accountability. With their help, survivors can take legal action without feeling swamped by the process.
One big challenge in these cases is proving that church leaders knew about the abuse but didn't stop it. People have accused the LDS Church of handling reports keeping key information secret. Skilled MDL lawyers know how to search —finding witnesses, getting documents, and spotting patterns that boost each survivor's claim.
Legal deadlines can make things trickier. Some states have lengthened the time limits to file abuse cases, but keeping up with these changes requires know-how. A skilled lawyer can help survivors take action even when the abuse happened long ago.
MDL lawyers do more than just provide legal help. They support survivors throughout the process—telling them their rights, pushing back against unfair deals, and ensuring people listen to them. If this affects you or someone close to you, the right legal team can support you to speak up and seek justice.
What's Next for the LDS Abuse MDL?
As lawsuits against the LDS Church move forward several possible outcomes could shape the future. The church might agree to a settlement compensating survivors without going to trial. Other institutions, like the Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America, have ended similar cases this way. A settlement could give financial recourse and draw more attention to how the church dealt with abuse claims.
If the parties can't reach an agreement, some cases might go to trial, which gives survivors a chance to show their evidence in court. This process takes longer but could make the church answer in a way that private settlements don't.
Apart from monetary settlements, these legal cases might lead to changes in rules within the LDS Church, like tougher reporting rules and more transparency. People who've survived abuse and their supporters want new measures to stop future harm and keep members safe.
If you're thinking about taking legal action, it's key to stay up-to-date on how the MDL is going. If this has affected you or someone you know, talking to a lawyer can help you see what choices you have and how to move forward in seeking justice.
You Deserve Justice—We’re Here to Help
Have you or someone close to you suffered abuse in the LDS Church? You might not know your next steps. Speaking up is brave, and fighting for justice can seem daunting. But you don't need to face this by yourself—support exists.
Litigation Connect pairs survivors with talented lawyers who understand these cases and can challenge powerful groups. Whether you need answers, advice, or are set to sue, the right attorney can change everything.
Your story counts, and people should listen to you. Contact Litigation Connect today for a private free chat to learn about your options for justice.