Sexual abuse is defined as any unwanted sexual behavior or action that is forced on a person. This includes situations where the person is unable to give their consent and the use of pornographic materials. 

Over a million Americans face sexual abuse every year, leaving victims vulnerable to drug abuse, mental health disorders, and suicide. The Mormon Church sex abuse lawsuits, which have made headlines over the years, show how rampant crimes of sexual abuse are in the LDS church.

What is the LDS Church?

The LDS Church, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was founded in the 1800s. It's a religious organization that believes in God, Christ and the Holy Ghost and preaches traditional Christian views. Over the years, it has amassed a huge fortune, over a billion dollars in terms of real estate and other assets. 

The church has spread its influence all over the world, with branches in Canada, Europe, and other countries. The church carries out missionary work like disaster relief and religious services like Sunday church sermons.

What is the lawsuit about?

The LDS church has been accused many times over the decades of being complicit in sexual abuse crimes. Even last year, a lawsuit was filed against an LDS missionary in Utah for sexual battery. The church has been accused of covering up cases of abuse and failing to protect its members from sexual violence. 

Lawsuits dating back to the 90s accuse a number of church members, including bishops, volunteers, and others, of sexual abuse. Victims allege that leaders of the church were aware of the crimes and did nothing to stop them.

One famous case against the LDS church involved the Boy Scouts, where members of the church sexually abused children in the Boy Scouts program. The church had a 100-year relationship with the Boy Scouts and donated large sums to the organization to cover up these crimes.

In some unfortunate cases, even family members, like parents, who were members of the church, sexually abused their children.

Verdicts

Millions of dollars have been awarded to victims of sexual abuse at the LDS church over the years. However, there have also been cases where the church let perpetrators continue working as clergy or in positions of power. The law often gives religious organizations the freedom to take action as they see fit against such crimes, and often, the details are not disclosed to the public.

In some cases, members have walked free, leaving children vulnerable to sexual abuse in the future.

Know Your Rights

In the face of such atrocious crimes, it can seem like there is no hope for victims, but that isn't true. It's important for survivors of sexual abuse to remember that they have rights and there are people who will fight for them. The first step is to report the crime to the right authorities so that the perpetrator can be punished.

Victims should also speak to someone they trust about the abuse they faced, as it will help ease their burden. It's important to remember that abuse is never the victim's fault. Seeking professional help is also helpful in overcoming trauma associated with the incidents.

Legal recourse is an option that victims should seriously consider to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent future incidents of abuse.

Conclusion

While some may argue that the LDS church provides a feeling of community and solace for many, the number of sexual assault allegations against the church bring into question the safety and functioning of the organization. It's important for victims to remember that they're not alone, and no one should be afraid to bring perpetrators to justice, especially those in positions of power.