The existence of a dedicated "helpline" within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) might, at first glance, suggest a commitment to addressing abuse. However, extensive allegations and legal scrutiny reveal a far more troubling reality. If you or someone you love suffered abuse related to the Mormon Church, keep reading to learn about the LDS helpline scandal before you take action.
Lawsuits against the LDS Church frequently allege that this helpline, staffed by the Church's law firm, Kirton McConkie, does not report abuse to authorities, but rather manages and often conceals abuse claims, prioritizing institutional protection over the safety and well-being of abuse survivors. Let’s review these alleged cover-ups and their legal repercussions.
The LDS Helpline Scandal: Alleged Coverups and Legal Fallout
The LDS Church’s helpline was supposed to help—but lawsuits claim it shielded abusers, discouraged police reports, and protected the Church over survivors.
Key allegations surrounding the LDS abuse helpline:
- Run by Church lawyers: Calls were allegedly protected under attorney-client privilege to avoid mandatory reporting
- Discouraged reporting: Bishops were allegedly told to handle abuse internally, not contact police
- Destroyed records: Investigations claim call records were deleted daily, erasing potential evidence
- Arizona case exposed it all: A 2022 lawsuit revealed audio evidence that the Church knowingly blocked reports of admitted child abuse
- Central to lawsuits nationwide: In California and beyond, over 100 lawsuits highlight the helpline’s alleged role in cover-ups
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The Purpose and Alleged Misuse of the LDS Helpline
For years, the LDS Church has maintained an internal helpline for local leaders to call when they learn of sexual abuse allegations. On its face, such a system seems like a responsible measure. However, civil lawsuits and investigative reports have brought forth serious allegations about its true function and impact:
- Attorney-Client Privilege as a Shield: A primary contention is that the helpline is operated by attorneys from the Church's long-standing legal firm. When bishops call this line, any communication about abuse allegations is allegedly protected under attorney-client privilege. This legal protection can potentially prevent information about abuse from being disclosed to law enforcement or child protective services, even when state laws mandate such reporting.
- Discouraging External Reporting: Numerous complaints allege that instead of advising leaders to report abuse to the police, the attorney helpline operators sometimes instructed them to handle matters internally. Survivors are encouraged to "forgive" the abuser or to rely on ecclesiastical discipline. This would allow abusers to remain free and potentially re-offend.
- Destroying Records: Some investigations claim that the helpline had a policy of destroying records of calls at the end of each day, further hiding potential evidence of abuse and the Church's knowledge of it.
Basically, the helpline, rather than being a tool for transparency and survivor protection, allegedly functioned as a "risk management playbook" designed to insulate the Church from liability and public scrutiny.
Documented Cases and Legal Scrutiny
The LDS Helpline scandal has come to national attention through a series of high-profile lawsuits and journalistic investigations.
- The Arizona Lawsuit (Adams Case): A significant case in Arizona in 2022 brought the helpline directly into the spotlight. In this lawsuit, survivors alleged that the LDS Church, through its helpline, instructed a bishop not to report known child sexual abuse. This specific case, involving a father who confessed abuse to his bishop, highlighted how the Church's internal processes allegedly led to the abuse continuing and prevented authorities from intervening. Audio recordings obtained by the Associated Press, which were not subject to confidentiality, provided an unprecedented look into the alleged strategies employed by the Church's risk management division.
- California Lawsuits: In California, where over 100 sexual abuse lawsuits against the LDS Church have been filed, similar allegations regarding the helpline's role in alleged cover-ups are central. Plaintiffs argue that the Church's internal policies, including the use of the helpline, directly contributed to a pattern of concealment, allowing abuse to persist unchecked.
- Confidential Settlements: While specific settlement amounts are often confidential, numerous lawsuits have resulted in settlements with the LDS Church. Although the Church denies misconduct in many cases, these settlements, some reaching $1 million or more for serious claims, indicate a recognition of the significant harm suffered by survivors and the legal weight of the allegations.
These legal actions underscore a pattern of alleged institutional negligence where the Church's internal mechanisms, including the helpline, are accused of actively impeding the reporting of child sexual abuse to secular authorities.
The Legal Fallout: Implications for Survivors
The alleged function of the LDS helpline has profound legal implications for survivors seeking justice:
- Evidence of Institutional Knowledge: The helpline's existence and alleged operations are often presented in lawsuits as evidence that the LDS Church had systemic knowledge of abuse allegations. This is crucial for establishing institutional liability, as it demonstrates that the Church was not unaware, but actively managed reports in a way that allegedly protected itself rather than those harmed.
- Breach of Duty: Lawsuits argue that by channeling abuse reports through an internal legal process rather than immediately reporting to law enforcement, the Church breached its duty of care to protect children and vulnerable individuals.
- Facilitating Abuse: Allegations suggest that the helpline's policies inadvertently (or intentionally, according to some claims) facilitated continued abuse by not ensuring timely and proper intervention by civil authorities. This can strengthen claims of institutional negligence.
- Impact on Statutes of Limitations: While the helpline itself doesn't directly alter statutes of limitations, the alleged concealment of abuse via its operations can sometimes be a factor in arguments for tolling (pausing) or extending these deadlines, particularly in states with "lookback windows" or "discovery rules."
For survivors, the revelation of the helpline's alleged role can be both validating and incredibly frustrating. It validates their feeling that the institution did not adequately address their concerns while also highlighting the systemic barriers they faced in seeking justice.
File Abuse Lawsuit Can Help You Seek Justice and Accountability
The ongoing legal battles surrounding the LDS helpline scandal underscore a critical truth: survivors of sexual abuse deserve to have their voices heard and to hold powerful institutions accountable for their alleged failures. The fight for transparency and reform within organizations like the LDS Church is not just about financial compensation, but also about forcing systemic changes that prioritize safety over reputation.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse connected to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and you believe the Moron Church's policies or personnel contributed to or covered up the harm you endured, you have legal options. Taking action can be a powerful step in your healing journey, offering a path toward both personal recovery and broader institutional change.
If you are a survivor of sexual abuse and are considering your legal options against the LDS Church or any other institution, contact File Abuse Lawsuit for a free and confidential consultation. We are here to listen with empathy and provide clear legal guidance tailored to your unique situation. Call us at (209) 283-2205 to speak with a legal advocate today.