The Latter Day Saints

Attorney Fighting against the Latter Day Saints for Enabling Child Sexual Abuse

The Latter Day Saints have a unique culture that provides a haven for sexual abusers. Of course, child sexual abuse is not meant to be part of the culture -- but the Latter Day Saints leadership enables child sexual abusers to continue destroying people’s lives long after they become aware of the crimes. Because the Latter Day Saints leaders do not bring known abusers to justice, and even cover up the abusers' crimes, they are guilty of supporting this behavior and making it possible for more children to be victimized.

In his practice representing victims of child sexual abuse, attorney Timothy D. Kosnoff has launched many lawsuits against the LDS Church corporation on behalf of people who were sexually abused as children. Attorney Kosnoff has learned exactly how child sexual abuse has become rampant among the Latter Day Saints, and he is committed both to stopping individual abusers and to fighting the Latter Day Saints church's enabling the abusers.

A Culture that Enables Child Sexual Abuse

When either children or adults abused as children come forth to complain about a sexual predator, they come forth to the adult men of the Latter Day Saints congregation. The Latter Day Saints are an insular religious community: its bishops and stake presidents insist on handling all such allegations internally and strongly discourage any intervention by outside authorities. Church leaders too often cover up or turn a blind eye to evidence of child sexual abuse and attempt to deal with pedophilia exclusively as a matter of sin and not as a crime and a grave threat to children and families. LDS Church General Authorities in Utah have known of the wide-spread nature of this problem but continue to deny it and refuse to implement meaningful reforms that can better protect LDS children.

Anyone raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is taught great reverence for the power and authority of the priesthood. Too often, protecting the power and image of the male leaders who possess the priesthood is the driving rationalization for covering up their crimes against children.

Dealing with Abuse “In-House” Does Not Work

Unfortunately, these church leaders treat child sexual abuse as a mere sin, not a crime, and do nothing to prevent the abusers from continuing their crimes. Many people who are abused within the Church know that nothing will be done if they report abuse, and they suffer in silence instead.

Quite simply, this method of handling child sexual abuse allegations is criminal. There are mandatory standards for child abuse reporting that leaders of the LDS church habitually violate. LDS Church officials and its lawyers typically attempt to evade responsibility by hiding behind the “free exercise of religion” clause of the Constitution, statute of limitations technicalities and clergy-penitent privilege statutes -- and while they protect themselves, the pedophiles in the Church are free to continue their horrific abuses.

One Lawyer Fighting against Latter Day Saints Sexual Abuse

Attorney Kosnoff was involved in a recent case against the Church of Latter Day Saints in which one individual was paid $3 million to settle out of court. The pattern of abuse supported by the Church was outrageous -- the abuser had victimized people in 7 states over 18 years, and after each incident, he was simply moved to a different ward. No organization, and especially not a church, should knowingly allow such a thing to happen.

Mr. Kosnoff is fully committed to helping anyone who knows of child sexual abuse, in any context. He has the experience and resources to take on any responsible individual or organization, no matter how powerful it may be. Even if you are not sure whether you want to file a lawsuit, he can help you get the care you need.

Call 425.837.9690, call 206.676.7610 within the Seattle area, or email us to schedule an initial consultation or case evaluation. As one of the few lawyers committed completely to child sexual abuse cases, our attorney also assists other attorneys throughout the United States.

"Getting justice, dignity and compensation for survivors of childhood sexual abuse is what matters."

We will handle your sexual abuse or child molestation case confidentially and discreetly. For more information about our firm and services, contact the Law Office of Timothy Kosnoff

Free initial consultations • We assist survivors in Washington State, Idaho, and nationally