Oregon Woman Files Lawsuit Against LDS Church Over Alleged Abuse Cover-Up
An Oregon woman has initiated legal proceedings against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asserting that a bishop within the church advised her against reporting years of sexual abuse perpetrated by a high priest. The lawsuit, which was filed in a federal court in Las Vegas, details disturbing allegations spanning several years during the 1990s.
Chronology of Alleged Abuse and Institutional Response
According to the legal documents, the woman, who was a member of the Church, claims she was first raped by the high priest in 1995 when she was just ten years old. The alleged abuse is said to have continued systematically until she reached the age of fifteen. The high priest, whose identity remains undisclosed in public reports, served at the East Stake 1st Ward in Las Vegas, where his responsibilities included counselling congregation members.
In 1999, as a teenage girl, the plaintiff reportedly confided in a bishop who oversaw the ward about the abuse she had endured. The lawsuit contends that instead of supporting her in seeking justice, the bishop explicitly told her not to report the incidents to the police. He allegedly assured her that the Church would "handle" the situation internally.
However, the legal filing asserts that the Church subsequently informed the high priest about the girl's report and failed to take any meaningful action to prevent further harm. This alleged inaction forms a central pillar of the plaintiff's case, highlighting what she describes as a profound breach of trust and duty.
Legal Allegations and Church Doctrine
The lawsuit formally accuses the Church of negligent supervision and breach of a mandatory duty to report suspected child abuse. These are serious charges that question the institution's internal protocols and its adherence to both ethical standards and legal obligations.
It remains unclear at this stage whether the high priest has faced or will face criminal charges related to these historical abuse allegations. The legal process is ongoing, and the court will examine the evidence presented.
This case stands in stark contrast to the public stance articulated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Official Church literature states unequivocally that abuse, including sexual harm, "cannot be tolerated in any form" and that perpetrators will be "accountable before God." The Church's published guidance on abuse emphasises that reports should never be dismissed and that victims must be met with compassion and support.
Furthermore, the Church explicitly states it "encourages the reporting of abuse to civil authorities" and mandates that its leaders and members fulfil all legal reporting obligations. The lawsuit, therefore, alleges a significant discrepancy between this stated policy and the actions of the bishop in this specific instance.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Scrutiny
This case adds to a growing number of legal challenges faced by religious institutions worldwide concerning their handling of historical abuse allegations. It raises critical questions about institutional accountability, the protection of vulnerable individuals, and the mechanisms for reporting abuse within closed communities.
The woman's identity is protected within the lawsuit, a common practice in such sensitive cases. The Church has been approached for comment regarding the specific allegations, and its response is awaited as the legal proceedings develop. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how similar allegations are managed by religious organisations in the future.
