Dolman Law Group is conducting a thorough investigation into sexual abuse claims linked to the Mormon Church. These allegations show a system that is built on and designed to suppress such incidents, especially those involving minors.
These accusations against the Mormon church (officially called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) focus on various church figures like elders, missionaries, and others in positions of power within the church.
The Dolman Law Group is focused on bringing justice to the Mormon church for their alleged negligence in reporting these offenses to law enforcement—and instead keeping it all “in-house” as so many churches negligently and criminally do—and is dedicated to helping the victims of this abuse get the compensation they deserve.
Sexual abuse cases can be challenging. They require the hired law firm to be compassionate and understanding, while still having the knowledge and expertise to handle the case correctly.
Dolman Law Group has handled thousands of cases against churches and other organizations that have allowed sexual abuse to go unchecked. Our experience includes cases against individual priests, the Catholic Church, the Catholic Dioceses, school athletic directors, juvenile detention centers and programs, Uber sexual abuse, and so many more.
If you have been a victim of sexual abuse and are yet to report it, contact the authorities as soon as you can. You can also learn more about reporting sexual abuse here.
If you are ready to file a claim against the Mormon church, contact Dolman Law Group today for a free evaluation of your case.
Recent Legal Updates Involving the LDS Church
In the last few months, a surge of lawsuits and court verdicts has put a spotlight on sexual abuse cases linked to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From big legal battles to federal court decisions here’s a rundown of what’s been going on:
April 2025 – Federal Court Says No to Consolidating LDS Abuse Lawsuits
A major legal move to combine dozens of abuse lawsuits into a single federal case was shut down in early April. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) denied the request to centralize nearly 50 lawsuits, saying the cases were just too different. Each one involved different people, time periods, and states, so the panel felt it made more sense for them to move forward separately.
March 2025 – Dozens of New Abuse Claims Filed in California
March brought a huge surge in legal action as nearly 100 people came forward with new abuse claims against the LDS Church in California. These lawsuits were made possible by a special legal window that lets survivors file even if the abuse happened years ago. Many of the cases accuse Church leaders of ignoring or mishandling abuse reports—and in some cases, actively protecting the abusers.
February 2025 – Lawyers Push to Combine LDS Abuse Cases
Before the JPML decision in April, attorneys representing survivors had filed a motion asking the federal courts to combine LDS sexual abuse lawsuits into a single case. They claimed all the cases shared a common theme: the Church’s long-standing failure to respond to abuse reports. Their goal was to centralize the cases to simplify and standardize the legal process for all parties involved.
December 2024 – New Lawsuits Allege Widespread Cover-Ups
In late 2024, new lawsuits in Utah and California claimed that the Church not only failed to stop abuse but actually covered it up. Some lawsuits say Church leaders put known offenders back into positions of authority, even after reports of misconduct. Victims claim the Church cared more about its reputation than protecting kids and other at-risk members.
These ongoing developments show how much legal pressure is building—and how survivors are continuing to step forward. Each case is different, but together, they’re pushing for accountability, change, and a chance to finally be heard. We’ll keep tracking updates as they come in.
What is the Mormon Church Being Accused Of?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons or LDS, is a massive global church organization with over 16 million members.
Despite its mission to make the world a better place, they seem to have some serious problems right inside their own organization. Numerous individuals, including men, women, teens, and children, have claimed they were sexually abused in the church and their allegations were ignored or neglected, allowing countless others to be hurt.
These claims seem to point to a systematic effort to hide these crimes within the church’s structure to protect church authorities like leaders and missionaries, but most importantly to protect the LDS’s reputation.
Furthermore, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is accused of concealing these incidents of child sexual abuse and adult sexual abuse, failing to report them to law enforcement, and suppressing information from victims and potential whistleblowers.
Learn more: How to Protect Yourself from Becoming a Sexual Abuse Victim
How a Mormon Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Help You
The experienced sexual abuse lawyers at Dolman Law are ready to help you with your Mormon church sexual abuse claim today or whenever you are ready.
Our full focus will be on providing you with excellent representation, handling the complex legalities of sexual abuse claims, gathering evidence, providing you with compassionate support, and of course, working as hard as possible to get you the compensation you deserve.
- Legal Representation and Advocacy: Dolman Law Group will provide you with legal representation and guidance to you under your rights while protecting your best interests.
- Navigating Complex Legal Systems: We are skilled at handling complex legal system that are often involved in sexual abuse cases and will make sure that your claim is handled correctly and all deadlines are met.
- Gathering Evidence: We will work to gather evidence for your case, including testimonies, medical records, documents, and other information.
- Providing Confidential Support: We understand the sensitive nature of church sexual abuse cases and offer confidential support to our clients so that we respect your privacy and emotional state.
- Seeking Justice and Compensation: Our primary goal is to get you justice for the wrong that have done against you and to get you compensation for the harm you have suffered.
- Handling Settlements or Trials: Depending on the case, we may be able to negotiate a settlement or we may have to take the case to court. If this happens, we will be there every step of the way to represent you at trial.
- Advising on Legal Options and Rights: We believe in making sure that our clients are informed about their legal options and rights so that they can make the best possible decision for them.
Main Leaders of Local LDS Churches Failed Their Flock
Testimonies from victims have revealed time and time again that the local leaders in the Mormon Church who are supposed to protect them failed miserably.
Bishops in the LDS are nonprofessional clerics who are the main people church members report to at their local church. LDS members trust their bishop’s judgment wholeheartedly because bishops are said to be blessed with discernment which means that their opinion is given to them straight from God and is therefore, more or less, infallible. This means they can tell when a victim is lying or tell when an accused is “telling the truth”.
Because of this trust placed in these men, untold thousands of people have not only been abused but had that abuse covered up because parishioners are taught to tell them and not local law enforcement.
Quite simply, these men are responsible for protecting the reputation of the Mormon Church. They are not special or somehow better than other people, they are simply protecting their job, their employer, their coworkers, and in some cases, probably themselves.
LDS Church Sexual Abuse – What Survivors Are Saying
Over the past few years, more and more people have stepped forward to share their stories of abuse within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These survivors come from different backgrounds and time periods, but many describe the same disturbing patterns—abuse by people in positions of trust, and a lack of action (or outright cover-ups) by church leadership. Here are just a few of the stories that have come to light:
- California Survivor Sues Former Church Leader: In a 2024 lawsuit, a woman going by “Jane Doe” accused former church leader Craig Allen Harward of sexually abusing her as a child. The abuse allegedly took place in private settings approved by church leadership, and the lawsuit claims the church knew about the abuse but didn’t step in to stop it.
- San Diego Plaintiffs Describe Years of Abuse: In March 2025, five people in San Diego County filed lawsuits describing long-term abuse by local church leaders. One woman said she was abused from the early ‘60s through the late ‘70s by multiple family members—including a bishop. Another said his bishop threatened him with spiritual consequences if he spoke up.
- Former Bishop Faces Charges in Virginia: John Goodrich, a former LDS bishop, was arrested in Virginia in March 2024 after being indicted on serious charges including rape and forcible sodomy. He’s accused of sexually abusing his own daughter over a number of years. The case has raised questions about how the church responds when abuse is reported internally.
- Abuse Linked to Boy Scouts Affiliation: The LDS Church also faced lawsuits related to its long-time partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. In 2021, the Church agreed to contribute about $250 million to a settlement fund for survivors, after claims that abuse in church-sponsored Scout troops was covered up for decades.
These stories are difficult to hear, but they matter. They reflect the pain so many survivors have carried—and their strength in coming forward. Every voice adds to the growing call for accountability and change within institutions that were supposed to protect their members.
How Child Abuse Affects Children and Adults
Child abuse, like the Mormon church is being accused of covering up, profoundly impacts children and adults.
In children, it can lead to developmental delays, behavioral problems, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
This trauma of abuse often carries into adulthood, manifesting as difficulties in relationships, chronic health problems, substance abuse disorders, and an increased risk of mental health issues.
The long-term emotional and psychological effects can damage an individual’s ability to lead a fulfilling life which is why the need for early intervention and support is so great.
This fact further shows the egregiousness of the LDS church’s crimes since early intervention is critical in helping to prevent child sex abuse from becoming a bigger problem later. Healing cannot begin if the crimes are swept under the rug by your local bishop.
Learn more: Looking Out for Signs of Sexual Abuse in Your Children and Loved Ones
Can I File a Lawsuit If I Was Sexually Abused While in the LDS Church?
Most likely, yes.
Many states have changed their laws so that the statute of limitations does not prevent adults who were abused as minors from getting justice. This means there is no limit or a much larger limit for the amount of time victims have to file a civil lawsuit.
The first step is to contact an experienced sexual abuse attorney like Dolma Law Group to evaluate your claim and see if you are eligible.
Some states have created laws that allow minor sexual abuse victims and adult sexual abuse victims to file a lawsuit, no matter how long ago the abuse happened or how old the victim currently is. But other states have stricter laws or more complicated laws.
Speaking to an experienced attorney is critical in determining whether or not you can file a claim against the Mormon church.
What Kind of Compensation Can LDS Sex Abuse Survivors Receive?
If you’ve experienced sexual abuse connected to the LDS Church and you’re considering legal action, it’s natural to wonder what compensation might actually look like. While no amount of money can undo what happened, a lawsuit can help cover the real-life costs that come with surviving trauma—and help support your path toward healing.
In many cases, survivors may be able to recover compensation for:
Mental health care and therapy
Many people seek counseling or therapy after experiencing abuse, and that support can be ongoing. Lawsuits often include the cost of both current and future treatment so survivors can access the help they need without worrying about how to pay for it.
Medical expenses
Physical injuries or lasting health problems can add to a claim’s costs. This includes doctor appointments, prescriptions, and related healthcare.
Loss of income or career impact
For some, trauma has disrupted their ability to work—either temporarily or long-term. A legal claim can help make up for lost wages or future earning potential that was affected.
Emotional distress
The mental and emotional toll can be hard to put into words, but things like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ongoing pain are all part of what courts consider when calculating non-economic damages.
Punitive damages
In some cases, courts may award extra damages to hold institutions like the Church accountable and deter future misconduct. This often happens when evidence shows the institution acted or ignored abuse reports.
Keep in mind, every case is different. The type and amount of compensation will depend on your situation, your needs, and what the evidence shows. A lawyer who handles sexual abuse cases can help you understand what’s possible and walk you through the process with care.
Contact The Mormon Church Sexual Abuse Lawyers at Dolman Law Group Today
Dolman Law Group offers compassionate legal assistance to sexual abuse survivors, focusing on their comfort and readiness. The firm provides a respectful environment to explore legal options without pressure, ensuring clients choose a path that feels right for them. When a client is prepared, the team commits fully to seeking justice and compensation against those responsible for the harm.
If you or your child were sexually abused and you have questions about taking legal action, contact the sexual abuse lawyers or children sexual assault lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers to help you understand your options.
We have offices on both coasts of Florida and across the country. You can contact us online or by phone at 727-451-6900 to schedule your free, confidential, and compassionate consultation.