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.

All content is drawn from third-party sources (e.g., news media, court filings, public records) and, where applicable, tips or interviews, all subject to standard journalistic review, including cross-referencing multiple credible sources and editorial oversight, but without independent verification guarantees or endorsement by FLOODLIT.

Criteria for Including Information in Our Database

We evaluate information for inclusion in our database based on the following criteria, prioritizing primary sources like court and police records over secondary sources like media reports:

  • Public Court Records: Documents such as court filings, judgments, or other legal records available in the public domain.
  • Police Documents: Records like probable cause affidavits or other official law enforcement documents.
  • Formal Charges: Records of criminal charges or civil complaints filed in a court of law.
  • Reliable Public News Sources: Reports from established mainstream media or local newspapers with a record of credible reporting (e.g., the New York Times; the Salt Lake Tribune; the Daily Herald in Provo, Utah).
  • Published Accounts: Books, podcasts, websites, or other publicly accessible sources where authors claim to have witnessed or been victims of sex crimes, provided the allegations have been discussed by a broad audience.
  • Direct Information: Information received directly from sexual abuse survivors or witnesses, subject to journalistic review.

Evaluation Guidelines

When assessing information for inclusion, we adhere to the following guidelines:

  • LDS Church Participation: We include cases involving individuals who were active Latter-day Saints at the time of the alleged sex crimes, or cases widely discussed that involve alleged failures by church leaders to report sexual abuse.
  • Victim Privacy: We do not publish victims’ names unless they have given explicit permission, have publicly identified themselves, or are deceased.
  • Address Information: We do not publish street-level addresses of accused individuals.
  • Posthumous Accusations: Allegations made after the death of an accused person are held to the same standards as those made during their lifetime.
  • Acquittals and Overturned Decisions: We do not remove case reports if an accused individual is acquitted, their conviction is overturned, or relevant court decisions are reversed, as our goal is to provide a comprehensive historical reference. We include a visible note on such database entries to clarify their legal status (e.g., “This case includes an acquittal; inclusion does not imply guilt or liability”).
  • Risk of Harm: We remove records if their publication may present a risk of physical, emotional, or reputational harm to any individual, as assessed by our editorial team.
  • Case-by-Case Exceptions: We consider exceptions to these criteria on an individual basis, ensuring alignment with our mission and journalistic standards.

Corrections Policy

FLOODLIT is committed to truth, accuracy, and fairness. If we discover or are informed of inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information, we take the following steps:

  • Review: We aim to initiate reviews of reported inaccuracies within seven business days by cross-referencing original sources, consulting additional public records, or contacting relevant parties for clarification.
  • Correction: If an error is confirmed, we update the content with accurate information and include a transparent note explaining the correction, including the date and nature of the change.
  • Removal: Information may be removed if deemed unreliable (e.g., primary sources are retracted or disproven) or harmful (e.g., poses a clear risk of harm), with an explanation provided if appropriate.
  • Public Input: We encourage readers, survivors, witnesses, or others to contact us at https://floodlit.org/contact/ to report inaccuracies or provide information. All submissions are reviewed promptly and confidentially.

Important Considerations

  • Presumption of Innocence and Non-Liability: Under U.S. and many international legal systems, individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and civil defendants are presumed not liable unless proven otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence (over 50% probability).
  • No Verification Guarantees: FLOODLIT does not independently verify the truth, accuracy, completeness, or reliability of allegations or information. Our database and content consist primarily of unverified allegations and reported details from third-party sources, presented for public-interest informational purposes only.
  • No Implication of Guilt: We make no representations, warranties, or implications regarding the truth of allegations or the guilt, liability, or fault of any named parties. Our content should not be construed as conclusive facts or formal opinions by FLOODLIT.
  • User Responsibility: Users bear sole responsibility for their conclusions or actions based on the information provided. FLOODLIT disclaims responsibility for any misinterpretations.

Contact Us

We are dedicated to maintaining a transparent, accurate, and fair database. We welcome feedback and encourage you to contact us at https://floodlit.org/contact/ to correct or add information.