Editing Mormon abuse cases (section)

==Response to abuse from the LDS Church==
The LDS Church states that abusive behavior, whether physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional, is a sin and is condemned unreservedly by the church.<ref name=ldspolicy>{{cite web|url = https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/abuse?lang=eng&_r=1|title=Abuse|work=churchofjesuschrist.org}}</ref> The church teaches that victims of abuse should report it to their bishop or other trusted leadership, and should be assured that they are not to blame for the abuse. Bishops and other trusted leaders are told by the church to contact the church's Help Line before any further reporting takes place.<ref name=ldspolicy/> Abuse of any form should be reported not only by the bishop but also by the victim to local law enforcement.<ref name=ldspolicy/>

Newsletter author Meg Conley said she had heard from many women who reported abuse to their LDS bishop, and that bishops tended to have keeping the family together as a higher priority than physical safety. In some cases, she said they recommended marriage counseling so the family members being abused could avoid provoking their abuser.<ref name="onpoint" />

Donna Kelly, an attorney at the Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic, said that in approximately 3,000 cases over three decades, bishops would sometimes show up to defend the abuser, but never the abused. She said church lawyers were more concerned about saving souls than protecting victims, and did not offer sufficient training to volunteer bishops to deal with abuse cases. Women were described by abusers and church leaders as "mouthy", and some were reportedly asked to leave their [[Ward (LDS Church)|ward]] because they were being "too disruptive" by filing abuse allegations.<ref name="onpoint" />

All church members who work with children or youth in their callings are expected to complete an online training module titled “Protecting Children and Youth.” The basic training takes about half an hour to complete.<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/church-safety-and-health/protecting-children-and-youth?lang=eng Protecting Children and Youth. Churchofjesuschrist.org. N.d. Accessed October 15, 2023.]</ref>

In July 2023, a number of policies were put in place by the LDS Church in the [[United Kingdom]] to safeguard children and prevent abuse. Most notably, all British church members working with children, as well as members of bishoprics and stake presidencies, must now undergo a background check before beginning their callings. The changes came after several church members heavily lobbied both church and secular leaders for additional protections.<ref>[https://religionnews.com/2023/06/27/british-mormons-lobby-for-stricter-safeguards-against-abuse-and-succeed/ British Mormons British Mormons lobby for stricter safeguards against abuse — and succeed. Religion News Service. Jana Reiss. June 27, 2023]</ref>

Beginning in May 2025, the LDS Church has directed its leaders to comply with a Utah law, which requires the church to check two public databases of registered sex offenders, prior to placing adults in a supervisory role over children. A church spokesperson stated that the church was a "strong supporter" of the law. The law did not single out any one church or group. According to the [[Salt Lake Tribune]], many churches have already been following the process which is now required by law, and some already require stricter controls.<ref>[https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/04/01/lds-church-other-groups-are/ What the LDS Church and others are doing under a new Utah law to protect kids from sexual abuse. Salt Lake Tribune. April 1, 2025. Accessed May 12, 2025.]</ref>