LDS Church Lawsuit – Mormon Church Abuse

You Are Not Alone: Child Sexual Abuse Survivors Can Attain Justice With an LDS Church Lawsuit

Legally Reviewed by Matthew Dolman

Matthew Dolman is the managing partner of Dolman Law Group, a nationally recognized law firm that represents survivors of abuse and victims of institutional negligence across the United States. Over the course of his career, Matt has helped recover more than $700 million for injured clients and has led or co-counseled on over 1,000 cases involving serious harm.

Matt has handled claims involving large organizations, including religious institutions, where systemic failures allowed abuse to occur or continue. These cases often involve deeply rooted issues like lack of oversight, failure to report, and policies that prioritize the institution over the safety of individuals.

He is known for taking on powerful organizations and pushing cases forward when others might hesitate, including preparing cases for trial rather than relying on early settlements. His work has been featured in major national publications such as The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, People, and the New York Post.

This page has been reviewed to ensure accuracy and clarity based on current laws involving abuse claims against religious institutions, including those involving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A Mormon Church sexual abuse lawsuit is a civil case filed by survivors who allege they were sexually abused by members, local leaders, or former church leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These lawsuits claim that individuals in positions of trust, including bishops, missionaries, volunteers, or those involved in the church's missionary program, engaged in abuse—including sexual assault, grooming, and other misconduct involving minors—where abuse allegedly occurred during church-related activities.

These cases are part of ongoing, nationwide litigation rather than a single lawsuit. Across the country, LDS sexual abuse claims and LDS sexual abuse lawsuits have been filed, including child sexual abuse claims, as survivors seek justice. Survivors allege that the Church failed to protect vulnerable members, especially children, through inadequate reporting, reassignment of known offenders, or the church's internal handling of abuse allegations instead of involving law enforcement. Some claims also involve allegations of institutional cover-ups or failure to act on prior complaints, allowing abuse to continue. Many lawsuits are filed individually, and some have been resolved through confidential settlements. Survivors can now file claims even years after the abuse, thanks to recent changes in statutes of limitations and lookback windows.

Religious institutions are meant to offer safety, community, and faith. But for many LDS church abuse survivors and their family members, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS or Mormon Church), headquartered in Salt Lake City, became a source of trauma and betrayal. When church leadership failed in their institutional responsibility to protect vulnerable members, the impact extended beyond survivors to their family members, causing secondary trauma and financial burdens. When you are ready to share your story, we can explain how a Mormon Church sexual abuse lawsuit—a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct or a sex abuse case—works and what you might expect if you decide to pursue legal action. The legal process can seem daunting, but our team will guide you through each step.

At Dolman Law Group, we represent survivors of childhood sexual abuse with compassion, strength, and focus. Our firm is exclusively dedicated to cases involving children who were sexually abused. If you or a loved one were sexually abused involving a Mormon Church bishop, former LDS bishop, clergy member, agent, officer, employee, volunteer, local leaders, or program (including church events), we are here to help you understand your rights and take the first step toward justice and healing. Even if the sexual abuse happened decades ago, we want to hear from you. We can help you gather evidence, such as medical records, to support your claim, and advise on the church's duty to report abuse to prevent life-threatening harm.

You deserve to be heard. You deserve accountability. And you don’t have to carry this burden alone. We handle Mormon sexual abuse cases nationwide. Our goal is to hold the Mormon church accountable on behalf of sexual abuse victims.

Why Survivors Are Filing Child Sex Abuse Claims Against the LDS Church Now

In recent years, a growing number of survivors have come forward to report child sexual abuse claims, LDS sexual abuse claims, and LDS sexual abuse lawsuits tied to Mormon Church institutions, including church bishops, missionaries, youth leaders, local leaders, and other trusted figures. These sex abuse lawsuits and sex abuse cases often detail how abuse allegedly occurred during church-related activities, impacting vulnerable members and their family members.

Many of these lawsuits allege not only abuse but systemic cover-ups by the LDS Church. This includes:

• Using a confidential Church “helpline” to shield abusers from law enforcement. The LDS Church has been accused of concealing information related to childhood sexual abuse. More specifically, the Mormon Church utilizes a help line staffed by attorneys and instructs bishops or other leaders to report abuse through the church's internal policies rather than to law enforcement. We believe this has been done purposely so that such communications are shielded by attorney-client privilege and clergy-penitent privilege, rather than prioritizing the duty to prevent life-threatening harm to vulnerable members.
• Reassigning known offenders to new congregations. In many sex abuse cases, sexual abuse survivors allege the LDS Church willfully ignored abuse reports and moved Bishops or local church leaders to new locations. Church leadership failed to protect children from known abusers and simply moved alleged sexual predators to new locations around unsuspecting children in a position of trust, neglecting their institutional responsibility.
• Pressuring survivors to stay silent to “protect the Church.” Many lawsuits contain allegations that Church leaders or officials pressured sexual abuse survivors and their parents not to report abuse to law enforcement. In a number of our own cases, sexual abuse survivors and their families were promised the Mormon Church would investigate the matter internally. It turns out these assurances were mere lip service by the Latter-day Saints.
• Failing to remove abusers from leadership roles, even after receiving complaints. This is a common theme in our cases and is often raised by former LDS Church members.

Survivors also describe harmful Church practices like worthiness interviews, where minors—often girls—were asked intrusive sexual questions by male bishops in private settings.

Today, changes in the law are giving survivors new opportunities to come forward. In several states, lookback window laws have temporarily reopened the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits, even if the abuse happened years or decades ago. These reforms now allow survivors to file claims that were previously time-barred, expanding access to justice for those with child sexual abuse claims and LDS sexual abuse claims.

Across the country, survivors are filing individual claims that shine a light on the institutional failures, church leadership's failed actions, and lack of institutional responsibility that allowed abuse to happen and continue unchecked, with Salt Lake City—the Church's headquarters—often cited as the central authority.

LDS Sex Abuse Lawsuit Updates - Child Sex Abuse Claims

Dolman Law Group, the owner of FileAbuseLawsuit.com, has played a major role in holding the LDS Church accountable for the sexual grooming, abuse, and assault of children due to their negligence.

Recently, we have filed several major LDS sexual abuse lawsuits and sex abuse lawsuits, including child sexual abuse claims, against the Mormon Church. These include cases where a lawsuit alleging abuse occurred during church activities, sometimes involving a former church leader or incidents connected to the church's missionary program.

We want to use this section to keep you updated on the cases we are filing, including those in regions such as the Arizona Court, the Arizona Appeals Court, San Diego County, and West Virginia. We also cover updates on sex abuse case filings, legal arguments involving clergy-penitent privilege, and the use of medical records as evidence.

But more importantly, we want to keep you updated on any news or changes in the state of the overall Mormon Sexual Abuse Lawsuits, including how the church's internal policies, institutional responsibility, and failures by church leadership and local leaders have impacted vulnerable members and their family members, with oversight from the headquarters in Salt Lake City.

April 20, 2026 - Lawsuit Filed Against LDS Church Over Known Child Abuser Given Access to Children

New LDS Church Lawsuit Filed Over Mountlake Ward Child Abuse

Dolman Law Group has filed a lawsuit alleging child sex abuse in King County, Washington, accusing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) of knowingly enabling the sexual abuse that allegedly occurred to several children at the Mountlake Ward in the early 2000s. This sex abuse case highlights claims that church leadership failed in their institutional responsibility to protect vulnerable members, as local leaders allowed a former church leader, David Herget—a convicted rapist—back into the congregation and elevated him to a position of power over children.

Herget's History and Reinstatement

According to court filings, abuse allegedly occurred when Herget, a former church leader, was convicted in 1993 of raping his own daughter. He served just six months of a seven-year sentence. At the time, church leadership failed to protect vulnerable members, reportedly pushing for leniency and making efforts to support him, raising questions about the church's internal policies and institutional responsibility.

He was excommunicated, but that clearly didn’t last. Despite being a registered sex offender and still under state supervision, local leaders allowed Herget to return to attending services in Mountlake by 2001.

By 2002, he was officially reinstated as a member. Two years later, the Church made him a High Priest—a role that placed him in direct contact with vulnerable members, including children.

The Alleged Abuse

What followed is the subject of this new sex abuse case. The abuse allegedly occurred between 2001 and 2005, with Herget accused of abusing multiple boys, some as young as five.

The complaint outlines disturbing accounts that mirror each other in chilling detail: grooming, isolation, pornography, and sexual assault. These incidents highlight the church's failure to protect vulnerable members, resulting in trauma not only for the survivors but also for their family members.

Access and Knowledge of Church Leaders

Herget’s return wasn’t quiet or behind the scenes. He handed out candy-stuffed special church programs to boys on Sundays—right in front of local leaders. He regularly invited boys to work at his home, unsupervised. And no one intervened, highlighting how church leadership failed to protect vulnerable members.

In fact, documents suggest his actions were known to both the ward’s Bishop and the Stake President, demonstrating a breakdown in institutional responsibility and oversight by local leaders.

One particularly disturbing account describes how Herget visited a sick five-year-old boy at home to give him the candy he missed in church. The child, left alone with Herget, was allegedly abused during that visit. That boy is listed in the lawsuit as John Doe #2.

His older brother, John Doe #1, says he was abused for four years straight—lured in with pornographic materials and forced into sex acts. John Does #3 and #4 tell similar stories. Each boy says the abuse happened both at Herget’s home and on Church property, raising questions about the church's internal policies and their effectiveness in safeguarding vulnerable members.

The Lawsuit's Focus

The lawsuit alleging abuse states the LDS Church was fully aware of Herget’s history and still placed him in situations where he had free rein with vulnerable members, including children.

In high-control institutions like the LDS Church, the church's internal reporting systems are often prioritized over law enforcement involvement. Survivors say this environment fostered silence and fear—kids knew that speaking up wouldn’t remove the predator. It might just make life harder for them and their family members.

Dolman Law Group says this wasn’t just a mistake; it was a systemic failure and a breach of institutional responsibility.

“The LDS Church gave a known predator the keys to the kingdom,” said attorney Stan Gipe. “And now, these men are left carrying scars that could’ve been prevented because church leadership failed to protect them.”

The firm is seeking damages for the four named plaintiffs and continues to investigate the possibility of additional victims. They are calling for accountability—not just from Herget, but from the institution (Church of Latter Day Saints) that gave him access to children in the first place.

Can Abuse Survivors Sue the Mormon Church for Sexual Abuse?

Yes. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse involving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the legal right to file a civil lawsuit—not only against individual abusers, but also against the Church itself for enabling, concealing, or failing to act on reports of abuse.

The legal process for these cases can feel overwhelming, but our team guides survivors through every step, from filing claims to navigating court proceedings.

Our experienced Mormon Church sexual abuse lawyers can help you:

• Investigate patterns of misconduct, including how the Church handled past complaints and the role of clergy penitent privilege in shielding information.
• Identify all responsible parties, from individual abusers to bishops and Church leadership, especially in LDS sexual abuse claims and lawsuits alleging institutional negligence.
• Protect your privacy by filing your lawsuit anonymously if allowed in your state.
• Navigate changing laws, including lookback windows in statutes of limitations that may allow older child sexual abuse claims, LDS sexual abuse claims, and sex abuse lawsuits to move forward.
• Pursue full compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial harm you’ve endured, using evidence such as medical records, witness testimony, and digital communications.

If you’re unsure whether your experience qualifies as a sex abuse case or part of ongoing LDS sexual abuse lawsuits, we’re here to listen—without judgment, and always in confidence. It doesn’t cost a penny to learn more about your personal rights during a free consultation. Our team is trauma-informed and experienced in representing sexual abuse victims.

How the LDS Church Is Quietly Settling Sexual Abuse Claims

Hundreds of sex abuse lawsuits and LDS sexual abuse lawsuits against the Mormon Church are being resolved, but not in court. The church has decided to deal with the large volume of abuse claims by settling them behind closed doors, including cases filed in San Diego County.

In recent years, the LDS Church has opted to settle cases through a private, confidential process. Survivors, through their legal teams, file claims by submitting detailed case inventories directly to Church representatives. If a claim is considered credible, settlement discussions begin without a judge, jury, or any public record, and evidence such as medical records may be used to support the claim.

Although hundreds of claims have been filed, there is currently no class action or MDL (multidistrict litigation) against the LDS Church. Instead, individual lawsuits are being filed in the states where abuse occurred.

While the legal process lacks transparency, survivors who have skilled legal representation may be able to secure meaningful compensation while avoiding the trauma of a public trial.

If you’re considering legal action, it’s critical to speak with a lawyer familiar with how these private resolutions work and who can advocate for your best interests every step of the legal process.

Who Can File a Lawsuit Against the LDS Church?

You may be eligible to file claims—including child sexual abuse claims, LDS sexual abuse claims, and LDS sexual abuse lawsuits—if:

• You were sexually abused by a Church leader, volunteer, or member of the LDS Church.
• The abuse occurred during a Church-affiliated program or in connection with a Church role.
• The Church failed to report or address the abuse.
• You were pressured to remain silent, or your complaints were ignored.

Whether your situation involves a sex abuse case or you are considering joining ongoing sex abuse lawsuits, recent legislative changes may allow you to pursue a lawsuit alleging misconduct or negligence by the Church. Even if the abuse happened years or decades ago, you may still have legal options. Some states have passed statutes of limitations, lookback window laws that give survivors the right to file lawsuits, even after the normal legal filing deadlines have passed.

You don’t need a police report or to have told anyone before. Your story matters to us, and with it, we can guide you through the legal process and take the first step toward justice.

What Counts as Mormon Church Sex Abuse?

Sexual abuse doesn’t always leave physical marks, but its emotional and psychological impact can last a lifetime. Within the context of the LDS Church, abuse can take many forms and often involves a violation of trust, power, or spiritual authority.

Examples of abuse or misconduct may include:

• Inappropriate touching, fondling, or groping
• Sexual comments, grooming, or manipulation
• Coercion into sexual acts using power or authority
• Exposure to sexual content or indecent exposure
• Exploitation of vulnerability, including age, disability, or emotional dependence
• Rape or attempted rape

Survivors often hesitate to come forward because they were silenced, not believed, or made to feel responsible. If someone in a position of religious authority made you feel unsafe, coerced, or violated in any way, your experience is valid, and you deserve to be heard.

What to Expect if You Bring a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against the LDS Church

Filing a civil lawsuit for clergy sexual abuse can be emotionally challenging, but with the right legal team, you don’t have to go through it alone. At File Abuse Lawsuit, we guide survivors through the entire legal process, helping you file claims for LDS sexual abuse lawsuits and LDS sexual abuse claims, so you can focus less on legal details and more on healing.

Here’s what the process generally looks like:

1. Confidential Consultation

You’ll speak privately with a survivor-focused attorney who can answer your questions, review your situation, and explain your legal options.

2. Evidence Collection

We gather any documentation that supports your case, including Church records, witness testimony, medical records, counseling records, and other proof of abuse or mishandling.

3. Anonymous Filing (If Allowed)

In many states, you can file your lawsuit under a pseudonym to protect your identity. We’ll help you determine if that’s an option for you.

4. Settlement Negotiations or Litigation

Most claims involving the Mormon Church are resolved outside of court through settlement negotiations, but some proceed through the legal process as sex abuse lawsuits or specifically as LDS sexual abuse lawsuits. We’ll advocate for the maximum compensation possible, and if your case does go to trial, we’ll stand with you every step of the way.

Throughout the entire process, your privacy, safety, and emotional well-being are our top priorities.

LDS Church Lawsuit Settlements & Verdicts

Previous LDS Sex Abuse Settlements

• In 2023, a $1.1 million settlement was reached in San Diego County with a man who was sexually abused as a minor in the LDS church by a teenager serving as a volunteer. The lawsuit alleging abuse allegedly occurred during church-related activities, raising questions about institutional responsibility and whether church leadership failed to protect vulnerable members.
• In 2001, an Oregon man named Jeremiah Scott sued the LDS Church in a lawsuit alleging protracted abuse he sustained in Portland when he was 11 years of age at the hands of another ward member who was convicted for such sexual abuse. The lawsuit alleged the Mormon church's internal cover-up of repeated sexual abuse. A $3 million sexual abuse settlement was reached with the church, highlighting the impact on family members and the role of local leaders.
• In 2023, a Riverside, California jury awarded a woman $2.28 billion for years of abuseshe sustained at the hands of her stepfather at church events. The lawsuit and testimony at trial alleged years of abuse allegedly occurred with direct knowledge of LDS church leaders, including a former church leader and former LDS bishop who ignored obvious signs time and again. The church resolved its portion of the case while denying liability, but the case underscored institutional responsibility and the failure to protect vulnerable members.
• In 2024, a federal judge overseeing litigation involving the Boy Scouts of America ordered the LDS church to pay $250 million as its contribution to years of abuse suffered by minors at the hands of Mormon church members. This case, which involved both the church's missionary program and local leaders, emphasized the church's institutional responsibility and the need to safeguard vulnerable members.
• In 2018, the LDS church reached a $32 million settlement with Christopher Michael Jensen after the plaintiffs rested their case mid-trial. This is one of the largest resolutions for a single abuse survivor among reported settlements for LDS cases. The abuse allegations raised by a church member and the level of church's internal cover-up caused the church to entertain a large settlement as opposed to rolling the dice with a jury. Medical records and testimony from family members were key evidence.
• In 2025, the Mormon church settled in excess of 100 child sexual abuse lawsuits that were filed in accordance with California’s revival statute, which allows individuals who have reached the age of majority (i.e., 18 years of age) to seek legal recourse for abuse sustained as a minor. Many of these lawsuits alleged that abuse allegedly occurred due to failures by local leaders and church leadership, and that institutional responsibility was not met.
• Currently, there are many other LDS sexual abuse cases still working their way through the system based on California’s revival law, as well as cases in Arizona court, Arizona appeals court, and West Virginia, which will likely lead to many more settlements. These cases often involve allegations that church leadership failed to protect vulnerable members, and that the church's internal policies and local leaders did not adequately address or report abuse.

What is the Average Mormon Sexual Abuse Settlement?

The average settlement of Mormon sexual abuse cases ranges from $100,000 to $2 million. The amount of money an LDS abuse lawsuit settles for depends on multiple factors, including:

• Severity of the sexual abuse
• The Church’s knowledge of the alleged abuse or sexual misconduct
• Duration of the abuse
• The perpetrator’s role within the Church
• The jurisdiction where the abuse occurred
• Whether the Church attempted to conceal or cover up the abuse

What Damages Can I Recover in an LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

Our goal is to hold the Mormon church accountable for decades of abuse. We are aware of the abuse that occurred decades ago, which proves the church had notice of systemic issues.

Depending on the details of your case, you may be eligible to recover:

• Medical and therapy costs for trauma-related care, with medical records serving as crucial evidence of harm
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress and PTSD
• Lost income due to the abuse’s impact on your work or education
• Future treatment and support services
• Punitive damages in cases where the Church’s negligence was especially severe

If your abuse was ignored, covered up, or enabled by Church officials, a civil lawsuit gives you a path to seek justice and to protect others from going through what you endured.

The LDS church continues to receive criticism for prioritizing the protection and privacy of the abuser or perpetrator and limiting public transparency.

The church has long sought to avoid public scrutiny. In fact, they have developed a reputation for playing hardball in litigation, with the desire for plaintiffs to privately resolve matters with their attorneys.

Why Choose the File Abuse Lawsuit Team for Your Mormon Church Abuse Case?

We understand how hard it can be to speak up, especially when your abuser was part of a trusted religious institution like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At File Abuse Lawsuit, we’re here to listen, believe you, and guide you through every step of the legal process, fighting for the justice you deserve.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Survivor-Focused Representation: Our practice is entirely devoted to sexual abuse cases. We don’t just understand the law — we understand the courage it takes to pursue justice.
  
• Compassionate Legal Support: You’ll never be treated like just another case. We treat every survivor with dignity and care, offering a safe, respectful space to share your story.
  
• Experience with Religious Abuse Cases: We know how to build strong cases against large institutions, including churches that have denied or hidden abuse.
  
• Your Privacy is Protected: Many of our clients file anonymously. We’ll take every possible step to protect your identity and personal information.
  
• No Fees Unless We Recover Compensation: You don’t pay us anything unless we recover financial damages on your behalf.

You deserve legal advocates who will put your needs first and who won’t back down from holding powerful institutions accountable.

Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation

You are not at fault for the abuse you survived, and you have legal rights to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. If you experienced sexual abuse connected to the LDS Church, you may have a legal right to pursue justice and compensation.

At File Abuse Lawsuit, we offer:

• Free, no-obligation case reviews
  
• Private consultations with survivor-focused attorneys
  
• Compassionate, confidential guidance through every step of the process

Call (833) 552-7274 or fill out our secure online form to schedule your free consultation today. We are here to help. When you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to listen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About LDS Church Abuse Lawsuits

Can I sue the Mormon Church for abuse that happened decades ago?

Yes. Many states have passed “look-back” laws that modify their statutes of limitations and allow survivors to file claims for child sexual abuse claims, LDS sexual abuse claims, and LDS sexual abuse lawsuits—even for abuse that happened years or decades ago. Our attorneys can guide you through the legal process to determine if your case qualifies.

Will my identity be made public?

Not necessarily. In many cases, survivors can file under a pseudonym such as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe" to protect their privacy.

Do I need a police report to file a civil lawsuit?

No. While a police report can help, it’s not required to pursue a civil claim. The legal process for a sex abuse case, including lds sexual abuse lawsuits and sex abuse lawsuits, allows survivors to file claims even without a police report. Civil lawsuits are separate from criminal cases, and evidence such as medical records can also support your claim.

What if the church already knew about the abuse but did nothing?

If you reported your abuse in the past, but the church did nothing to help you, it may strengthen your case. Many a lawsuit alleging that church leadership failed in their institutional responsibility points to the church's internal policies, the actions or inaction of local leaders, and the use of clergy penitent privilege as factors in the mishandling or cover-up of abuse reports.

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

There’s no up-front cost to you, and we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you. We work on a contingency basis and cover all legal expenses up front, so you have no additional financial burden while pursuing your legal rights against the Mormon Church. Our team supports you through every step of the legal process, ensuring you have guidance and understanding without any upfront costs.

Respected Support Resources for Survivors

As an abuse survivor, please know, you are never alone. These national organizations offer support, counseling, and crisis assistance:

• RAINN(Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 24/7 hotline at 800-656-HOPE
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 24/7 support at 800-4-A-CHILD
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• The Wings Foundation: Support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse at wingsfound.org

If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, please call 911. Otherwise, to learn more about your legal options, reach out to the Dolman Law Group team today, even if the abuse happened years ago.