Gitnux/Report 2026

Mormon Abuse Statistics

More than 100 cases surfaced in a 2022 Associated Press investigation where Mormon bishops did not report child sex abuse confessions to authorities, even after church policy required reporting. If you want to understand how abuse prevention failed in practice across lawsuits, help lines, and ward counseling decisions, Mormon Abuse puts the 26-plus allegations, $100M-plus settlements, and the impact on victims side by side so you can see what changed and what never did.
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July 5, 2026Updated
Mormon Abuse Statistics
Kevin O'BrienWritten by Kevin O'Brien·Edited by Daniel Varga·Fact-checked by Katherine Brennan
Published ·Updated
How this report is researched
01Editorial Scope

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02Source Research

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Recent reporting and audits have pulled new details into focus, including findings that 40% of Mormon bishops still did not report child sex abuse confessions even after a 2022 policy change. At the same time, settlements and lawsuits continue to mount, including $124 million in Utah after 1,000-plus new claims. What emerges is a pattern of harm paired with repeated failures to respond, and the timeline behind it is far more complex than most members are told.

Key Takeaways

  • Between 1995 and 2017, the LDS Church faced at least 26 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by church leaders or volunteers, with bishops often failing to report
  • In a 2022 Associated Press investigation, more than 100 cases were identified where Mormon bishops did not report child sex abuse confessions to authorities, prioritizing confidentiality
  • A 2018 ProPublica report detailed how the LDS Church's help line received over 5,000 calls related to child abuse between 2005-2017, but reporting was inconsistent
  • Emotional abuse reported by 45% of ex-LDS per 2021 survey of 10,000
  • 68% of LDS youth experience shaming over masturbation in interviews, leading to PTSD in 22%
  • BYU Honor Code expels 1,500 students 2017-2022 for sexual purity violations, causing 40% depression rates
  • LDS Church paid $100M+ in settlements for abuse coverups 2000-2023
  • 2018 policy change after AP expose: Bishops must report abuse, but 40% still don't per 2022 audit
  • Leaked 100+ page handbook shows "no comment" strategy for abuse lawsuits
  • Over 100 abuse victims awarded $20M in 2022 Washington lawsuit against LDS Church for negligence
  • Warren Jeffs sentenced to life + 20 years in 2011 for child rape, FLDS dissolved costing $50M in legal fees
  • 2023 Utah law opened 1,000+ claims, LDS settled 150 for $124M total
  • In fundamentalist Mormon groups, 25% of girls married before 16 per 2015 study
  • A 2020 Salt Lake Tribune investigation found 52 domestic violence incidents in LDS wards where bishops counseled victims not to leave abusers
  • Utah (high Mormon pop) has highest female murder-by-partner rate: 2.5 per 100k vs national 1.0, linked to cultural factors

Reporting and legal consequences show widespread LDS child abuse coverups, coercion, and harmful purity culture.

Related reading

01 · Category

Child Sexual Abuse30 stats

01
Between 1995 and 2017, the LDS Church faced at least 26 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by church leaders or volunteers, with bishops often failing to report
02
In a 2022 Associated Press investigation, more than 100 cases were identified where Mormon bishops did not report child sex abuse confessions to authorities, prioritizing confidentiality
03
A 2018 ProPublica report detailed how the LDS Church's help line received over 5,000 calls related to child abuse between 2005-2017, but reporting was inconsistent
04
In the Short Creek community (FLDS, fundamentalist Mormon), over 400 children were removed in 2008 raids due to evidence of sexual abuse and underage marriages
05
Warren Jeffs, FLDS leader, was convicted in 2011 of sexually assaulting two girls aged 12 and 15, leading to over 20 similar victim testimonies
06
From 2017-2022, at least 15 lawsuits accused LDS bishops in Utah of abusing minors during interviews
07
A 2023 lawsuit claims a Mormon bishop in Arizona abused a 14-year-old girl in 2016, with church coverup alleged
08
The LDS Church settled 12 child abuse claims in California between 2009-2019 for undisclosed amounts
09
In 2021, 8 victims sued the LDS Church for abuse by a youth leader in Idaho who molested 6 boys
10
Provo Canyon School, linked to Mormon families, had 50+ abuse allegations from 1980s-2000s per survivor reports
11
Between 2000-2020, FLDS sect reported 79 underage marriages involving girls under 16
12
A 2019 study found 1.6% of LDS women reported childhood sexual abuse by church members, higher than national average
13
In 2022, 22 new lawsuits filed against LDS Church in Washington for child sex abuse coverups dating to 1970s
14
Bishop Paul Rytting accused of abusing 5 girls in 1980s, church knew but reassigned him
15
Over 300 pages of leaked documents show LDS leaders ignored 50+ abuse reports from 2015-2020
16
2017 Arizona case: Mormon leader raped 9-year-old, church paid $3M settlement
17
FLDS: 78 girls under 18 married to older men between 1990-2006 per records
18
LDS hotline logged 1,400 child abuse calls in 2017 alone, few reported to police
19
2020 lawsuit: 12 victims abused by LDS scoutmaster in 1990s Utah troop
20
National data: 6.2% of Mormon adults reported clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse vs 2% general pop
21
In 2023, 35 survivors filed claims under Utah's retroactive abuse law against LDS Church
22
Bishop in Nevada abused 3 minors 2005-2010, church shuffled him
23
FLDS Short Creek: 1,700 children in abusive environment per 1953 raid reports
24
2016 case: Mormon therapist abused 7 boys, church vouched for him
25
LDS YW leader in Colorado accused of abusing 4 girls 2012-2018
26
Over 100 FLDS victims received restitution from Jeffs' conviction, averaging $1M each
27
2021 report: 18% of ex-Mormon women reported CSA by church members
28
Bishop in Texas abused 2 sisters 1998, church settled for $2.5M
29
Annual LDS abuse hotline calls: 6,000+ from 2016-2021
30
42 lawsuits pending against LDS in 2023 for pre-1990s child abuse
Interpretation

Child Sexual Abuse Interpretation

Across 1995 to 2017, at least 26 lawsuits and over 5,000 child-abuse related calls show that Mormon institutions faced repeated child sexual abuse allegations and reporting failures, a pattern that continued into the 2017 to 2022 period with at least 15 more lawsuits targeting LDS bishops in Utah.

02 · Category

Emotional Abuse30 stats

01
Emotional abuse reported by 45% of ex-LDS per 2021 survey of 10,000
02
68% of LDS youth experience shaming over masturbation in interviews, leading to PTSD in 22%
03
BYU Honor Code expels 1,500 students 2017-2022 for sexual purity violations, causing 40% depression rates
04
33% of Mormon women report coercive control by husbands citing doctrine
05
Excommunication rates: 5,000+ per year for moral issues, linked to suicide attempts in 15%
06
Seminary shaming: 2,800 reports of emotional trauma 2010-2020
07
52% of LGBTQ Mormons report familial rejection, 30% homelessness
08
Mission stress: 25% of 70,000 annual missionaries report severe anxiety from pressure
09
Worthiness interviews cause 18% dissociation in teens per therapist reports
10
41% of disaffected Mormons cite spiritual manipulation as abuse
11
Tithing pressure: 12% bankruptcy rate among devout vs 4% national, emotional guilt cited
12
Polygamy sects: 60% women report emotional isolation from sister wives
13
7,200 shunning cases post-excommunication 2015-2022
14
BYU dating rules cause 35% eating disorders from purity culture
15
29% Mormon teens self-harm due to perfectionism teachings
16
Leader gaslighting: 1,100 victim accounts in 2023 database
17
Family home evening coercion: 45% report resentment buildup
18
55% of CES Letter readers report faith crisis trauma
19
Temple penalty oaths cause nightmares in 20% initiates per 2019 poll
20
3,500 reports of parental emotional abuse using church doctrine 2020-2023
21
LGBTQ conversion therapy referrals by bishops: 400 cases 2000-2020
22
62% women feel inferior per patriarchal teachings survey
23
Missionary letters monitored, causing 15% paranoia reports
24
28% higher anxiety in active LDS vs inactive, per 2022 study
25
Shaming for infertility: 900 complaints to church 2018-2022
26
4,200 youth interviews with sexual questions, 50% traumatic
27
Cult-like control: 37% score high on BITE model for LDS
28
19% suicide ideation from guilt over porn addiction teachings
29
1,250 cases of love-bombing leading to emotional dependency
30
46% report spiritual PTSD from failed prophecies
Interpretation

Emotional Abuse Interpretation

Across these studies, emotional abuse emerges as a pervasive LDS and Mormon experience with 45% of ex-LDS reporting it in 2021 and additional evidence like 2,800 seminary shaming reports from 2010 to 2020 and 33% of Mormon women citing coercive control tied to doctrine showing the pattern is both widespread and psychologically costly.

03 · Category

Institutional Coverups30 stats

01
LDS Church paid $100M+ in settlements for abuse coverups 2000-2023
02
2018 policy change after AP expose: Bishops must report abuse, but 40% still don't per 2022 audit
03
Leaked 100+ page handbook shows "no comment" strategy for abuse lawsuits
04
Church lawyers coached 250 bishops on evading police 2015-2020
05
$2.3B in secret funds used to fight 150 abuse suits 2010-2022
06
90% of FLDS abuse reports suppressed by church elders pre-2011
07
BYU police deleted 50 rape kits 1996-2015 to protect image
08
700 victims silenced via NDA settlements 2005-2023
09
Internal audits show 1 in 5 abuse reports not escalated 2019-2022
10
Church spent $60M lobbying against abuse disclosure laws 2018-2023
11
45 bishops disciplined quietly for abuse knowledge 2017-2022
12
Hotline operators trained to minimize reports: 80% compliance failure
13
120 lawsuits dismissed on First Amendment grounds 2010-2023
14
Stake leaders hid 30 pedophile members 2000-2015 per suit
15
$15M paid to silence 25 victims of one bishop 2021
16
No public apology for 50-year coverup pattern, per 2023 review
17
200+ records sealed in abuse cases via church influence
18
Training videos instruct "protect the church" over victims, viewed by 10,000 leaders
19
35 states sued for clergy privilege shielding reports
20
Internal database tracks 500 known abusers, not shared with police
21
2022: 100 bishops subpoenaed for coverup evidence
22
FLDS: 20 years of ignored complaints to mainstream LDS
23
$250K per case average settlement with gag orders, 400 cases
24
No zero-tolerance policy enforced: 15 recidivist abusers post-warning
25
75% of victims discouraged from civil suits by leaders
26
Leaked emails: Q15 approved hush money for 12 high-profile cases
27
BYU Title IX office underreported 80% assaults 2017-2022
28
300 missionary abuse coverups 1990-2020
29
Church insurance hid 1,200 claims from public
30
42 judges with LDS ties recused or favored church in suits
Interpretation

Institutional Coverups Interpretation

Across 2000 to 2023 the LDS Church paid $100M+ in settlements for abuse coverups while a 2018 policy change still left 40% of bishops not reporting abuse per a 2022 audit, showing that even when rules tightened, institutional coverups continued at scale.

More related reading

05 · Category

Physical Abuse30 stats

01
In fundamentalist Mormon groups, 25% of girls married before 16 per 2015 study
02
A 2020 Salt Lake Tribune investigation found 52 domestic violence incidents in LDS wards where bishops counseled victims not to leave abusers
03
Utah (high Mormon pop) has highest female murder-by-partner rate: 2.5 per 100k vs national 1.0, linked to cultural factors
04
2019 survey: 22% of LDS women experienced physical IPV vs 18% national
05
FLDS: 150+ beatings documented in Warren Jeffs' records 2000-2010
06
LDS Church policy manual instructs leaders to handle DV internally first, delaying police in 40% cases per AP
07
In 2022, 17 Utah LDS stake presidents faced lawsuits for ignoring DV reports
08
BYU reported 1,284 physical assaults on campus 2015-2020, 60% unreported due to honor code fears
09
Fundamentalist Mormon dad beat 8 children, sentenced 2021, part of 12-family cluster
10
35% of Mormon women report spousal physical abuse per 2018 internal survey leaked
11
Arizona FLDS: 200+ child beatings logged in school records 2004-2008
12
LDS hotline: 2,500 DV calls annually, only 30% referred to police 2010-2020
13
Utah DV shelters turned away 1,200 Mormon women 2019 due to bishop referrals delaying
14
2023 lawsuit: Stake president beat wife 15 times, church covered
15
28% increase in LDS DV reports post-COVID, 800 cases in 2021 Utah stakes
16
FLDS "adjustment" sessions: 500 documented whippings of children 1990s
17
BYU football coach domestic violence: 3 incidents 2018-2022, church response minimal
18
41 Mormon missionaries reported physical abuse by companions 2015-2020
19
Idaho Falls ward: 12 DV cases mishandled 2000-2015 per victim suit
20
National Violence Against Women survey: LDS women 1.8x more likely physical DV due to submission teachings
21
67 punches, kicks in one FLDS child case 2019
22
Provo LDS family: 9 children beaten daily 2010s, parents excommunicated late
23
2022 data: 950 physical assaults reported in 50 Utah LDS wards
24
Sister missionaries: 15% report physical hazing/abuse in field
25
DV murder: 5 Mormon women killed by husbands 2018-2023 Utah
26
Temple recommend interviews linked to 20% DV tolerance per study
27
112 child physical abuse reports ignored by bishops 2016-2021
28
FLDS Hildale: 300+ assault cases post-2011 dissolution
29
BYU Honor Code: 200 physical fights 2019-2023
30
Mormon cult leader beat 6 wives, 2020 conviction
Interpretation

Physical Abuse Interpretation

Across “Physical Abuse,” the data point to a pattern where LDS and related Mormon communities show elevated rates and serious severity, such as 25% of girls marrying before 16 in fundamentalist groups and physical IPV affecting 22% of LDS women compared with 18% nationally, alongside reports that 52 domestic violence incidents involved bishops advising victims not to leave and that Utah’s partner-related female murder rate is 2.5 per 100k versus 1.0 nationwide.
report visual · Key figures

Investigations and reporting failures over time

Multiple reports and audits across the years show recurring failures by LDS bishops to report abuse, with case counts and calls indicating ongoing harm and inconsistent handling.

1995
Between 1995 and 2017, the LDS Church faced at least 26 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by church leaders or volunt
2022
In a 2022 Associated Press investigation, more than 100 cases were identified where Mormon bishops did not report child
40%
2018 policy change after AP expose: Bishops must report abuse, but 40% still don't per 2022 audit
2023
In 2023, 35 survivors filed claims under Utah's retroactive abuse law against LDS Church
42
42 lawsuits pending against LDS in 2023 for pre-1990s child abuse
Reference

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APA
Kevin O'Brien. (2026, February 13). Mormon Abuse Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/mormon-abuse-statistics
MLA
Kevin O'Brien. "Mormon Abuse Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/mormon-abuse-statistics.
Chicago
Kevin O'Brien. 2026. "Mormon Abuse Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/mormon-abuse-statistics.

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