I was told I needed disciplinary council for being an assault victim. #abusesurvivor #mormons

When Survivors Face Church Discipline: The Troubling Pattern of Victim Accountability in LDS Disciplinary Councils

When a sexual assault survivor is called before a church disciplinary council, the victim becomes twice victimized, first by the perpetrator, then by an institution meant to offer spiritual refuge. Recent accounts shared on the Mormon Stories Podcast have brought renewed attention to a troubling pattern: some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been summoned to formal disciplinary proceedings not as perpetrators, but as assault survivors themselves. The question haunts many in the faith community: how did accountability become confused with victimhood?

This issue cuts to the heart of how religious institutions handle sexual abuse allegations and whether they prioritize survivor protection or institutional preservation. For those navigating faith and trauma simultaneously, understanding this dynamic is essential.

Historical Context: LDS Church Discipline and Sexual Conduct

The LDS Church's approach to disciplinary councils has evolved considerably since the faith's nineteenth-century origins, yet persistent patterns remain. Disciplinary procedures, formally outlined in church handbooks, are designed to address transgressions and promote repentance. Historically, church leaders have maintained broad discretionary authority in determining what constitutes a matter requiring formal discipline.

Sexual misconduct, in all its forms, has long fallen within the scope of disciplinary review. However, the church's framework has traditionally assumed a binary: perpetrator and victim. When that line becomes blurred or misapplied, the consequences for survivors can be severe.