In a disturbing case, an Oregon woman has filed a lawsuit against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), alleging years of sexual abuse by a high priest and the church’s failure to act on her reports. The woman, whose identity is being withheld, claims she was sexually abused by the high priest from the age of 10 to 15 in the 1990s.
According to the lawsuit filed in a federal court in Las Vegas, the woman, who was a member of the church, reported the abuse to a bishop in 1999 when she was just a teenager. However, the bishop allegedly told her not to report the incident to the police, claiming the church would “handle the situation.”
The lawsuit accuses the church of negligent supervision and a breach of its mandatory duty to report suspected child abuse. It alleges that the church ultimately informed the high priest that the woman had reported the abuse, but took no meaningful action to prevent further harm.
The high priest, whose name has not been disclosed, had served at the East Stake 1st Ward in Las Vegas, where he was responsible for counseling congregation members. The lawsuit does not indicate whether the high priest has faced or will face any criminal charges for the alleged abuse.
In a statement, the LDS church said that it “encourages the reporting of abuse to civil authorities” and that “church leaders and members must fulfill all legal obligations to report abuse.” The church also stated that “reports of abuse should never be dismissed” and that those affected by abuse “need to be heard and supported.”
This case has raised serious questions about the church’s handling of sexual abuse allegations and its commitment to protecting vulnerable members. As the investigation continues, it is crucial that the authorities thoroughly examine the claims and ensure that justice is served.
