Survivors and faith leaders are demanding Utah change a law that exempts religious leaders from requirements that they report sexual abuse brought to their attention in spiritual confessions
Protesters gather on the steps of the Utah State Capitol, at a rally to gain support for removing the clergy exemption from mandatory reporting in cases of abuse and neglect, on Friday, Aug. 19, 2022 in Salt Lake City. Demonstrators gathered outside the Utah Capitol on Friday to demand lawmakers remove an exemption from state law that frees religious leaders from being required to report sexual abuse when perpetrators mention it in confessions.
Lundholm’s story was one of many shared on the steps of the Capitol, which stands on a hill above the church headquarters and its Salt Lake Temple. Other women also shared their stories and read aloud written accounts collected for the demonstration, using them to demand lawmakers require clergy report abuse when it’s confessed to them.
Utah is among more than 20 states with similar laws that give reporting exceptions to clergy who receive information about child neglect or sexual abuse during spiritual confessions. The exemptions do not extend to therapists, doctors or any other adult known to offer confidential counsel. “I’m tired of making excuses for perpetrators,” she said, noting that her push had recently won support from Latter-day Saint Republicans.
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