Mormon Church Faces $25M Lawsuit for Failing to Report Child Sexual Abuse in Oregon & Washington

Crew Janci LLP Stands with Survivors in Holding Institutions Accountable

A new lawsuit filed in federal court alleges that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints failed to report child sexual abuse, resulting in prolonged harm to a young survivor. The case highlights systemic issues in religious institutions’ responses to abuse allegations, raising questions about accountability and legal obligations.

Case Overview

According to the lawsuit, a Mormon bishop in Vancouver, Washington, was made aware of suspected child sexual abuse but failed to report it to law enforcement or child welfare agencies. This failure allegedly led to continued abuse, as the perpetrator—Craig McNeil Ford—relocated the victim to Oregon, where the abuse persisted for months.

Ford was ultimately convicted of multiple counts of rape and incest and is currently serving a 33-year prison sentence. The victim, identified as “Julie Doe” in court documents, is now seeking $25 million in damages for the suffering she endured.

The Church’s Alleged Negligence

The lawsuit accuses the Mormon Church of:

• Concealing critical information about a known abuser.
• Failing to take action despite direct knowledge of ongoing abuse.
• Neglecting to train leaders on how to properly respond to child abuse allegations.

This case is not an isolated incident. Investigations have revealed repeated failures by the church to properly report abuse, including concerns over a “secretive church helpline” used to manage abuse reports internally rather than alerting authorities.

Read the Full Story

For a comprehensive look at the allegations and legal proceedings, visit The Oregonian’s full article.

Legal and Institutional Accountability

The lawsuit underscores the importance of mandatory reporting laws and the duty of religious institutions to protect children from harm. While Oregon law requires clergy members to report abuse, Washington does not currently mandate clergy to do so — a legal gap that may have contributed to the failure to act.

Crew Janci LLP Advocates for Survivors

At Crew Janci LLP, we are committed to holding institutions accountable when they fail to protect children. Our team has extensive experience representing survivors of child sexual abuse and securing justice against powerful organizations.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, contact Crew Janci LLP today for a confidential consultation. Our experienced attorneys are here to stand by your side and help you take the first steps toward healing and justice.

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