FLOODLIT.org is an independent investigative journalism newsroom dedicated to compiling, summarizing, and presenting public reports, information, original summaries, and articles concerning allegations of sexual crimes reportedly involving members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon), as well as alleged responses by church officials.

Our mission is to foster accurate discussion and promote positive change through transparent and responsible reporting, while helping abuse survivors heal.

FLOODLIT is dedicated to abuse survivors everywhere. May your light never be hidden.

Why focus on sexual abuse in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Official church statements and policies have long condemned sexual abuse. Some examples are below.

However, FLOODLIT has found instances where abuse victims/survivors reported that church officials knew about their abuse but failed to report to police or provide adequate help.

Latter-day Saints church official statements and policies regarding sexual abuse

  • The church has said, “The Church has long had a highly effective approach for preventing and responding to abuse. In fact, no religious organization has done more. Although no one system is perfect and no single program will work with every organization, the Church’s approach is the gold standard.” (Effectiveness of Church Approach to Preventing Child Abuse, Dec. 1, 2015, accessed Feb. 19, 2024.)
  • The church states that it “has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to abuse. This means that if we learn of abuse, we cooperate with civil authorities to report and investigate the abuse.” (How the Church Approaches Abuse, accessed Feb. 19, 2024.)
  • Since 1995, the church has provided a telephone help line for local leaders (such as bishops, branch presidents, or stake presidents), instructing them to call whenever they suspect or learn of abuse. “Where available, he will be put in touch with a professional counselor to help the victim, stop the abuse, and prevent abuse of others. The bishop will also be connected with a lawyer to make certain that all legal reporting requirements are observed.” (How the Church Approaches Abuse, accessed Feb. 19, 2024.)
  • Former church president Gordon Hinckley, in a 1996 60 Minutes interview, acknowledged that “there’ll be a blip here, a blip there, a mistake here, a mistake there” among local lay leaders dealing with reports of abuse. (An Interview With Gordon Hinckley, aired Apr. 7, 1996, accessed Feb. 19, 2024.)
  • Church representatives have claimed that sexual abuse by church officials or actively participating members is extremely rare (example from 2010).
  • In 2022, the church stated in response to an Associated Press article about the Paul Adams case and the church’s abuse telephone help line: “[T]here can be no mincing of words, no hint of apathy and no tolerance for any suggestion that we are neglectful or not doing enough on the issue of child abuse.”

What changes does FLOODLIT want to see The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make?

FLOODLIT is not an advocacy organization and takes no position on specific solutions for any crisis. Instead, we aim to provide a reliable reference resource for anyone researching this topic.

Where does FLOODLIT get its information?

Our information about each Mormon sex abuse case comes from publicly available sources, such as police records, court documents, and mainstream news articles, as well as private communications with abuse survivors and others familiar with the cases.

How does FLOODLIT determine whether to include someone in its database?

We typically list individuals who were active members or officials in the church at the time they allegedly perpetrated a sex crime. For more details, see our posting policy.

I know about an abuser who isn’t listed. How can I tell FLOODLIT about them?

Please use our report abuse form or contact us directly.

Is FLOODLIT an anti-Mormon website?

No. We strive to provide a factual and helpful resource for all, including faithful Latter-day Saints, to better understand and address abuse within the church.

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