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Reporter Michael Rezendes shines 'spotlight' on the LDS church

Renee Bright
/
KUER

Investigative reporter Michael Rezendes, in a recent article for The Associated Press, detailed how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints diverted reports of sexual abuse by its members away from law enforcement, sweeping them under a legal rug and “leaving victims in harm’s way.” It’s the kind of story Rezendes has seen before.

Rezendes was a member of the Boston Globe Spotlight team that, in 2002, broke a massive story detailing the extent of sexual abuse inside the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. He sees some interesting parallels between that case and a recent one involving an LDS man, Paul Douglas Adams. Adams sexually abused his two young daughters for years and confessed to a member of the church’s lay clergy that he was doing so. Rezendes joins us to share what he learned about how Mormon officials allowed that sexual abuse to happen in the interest of protecting its reputation.

Here are links to Rezendes’ articles, “Seven Years of Sex Abuse: How Mormon Officials Let it Happen” and "Judge Limits Privilege Defense in AZ Mormon Sex Abuse Case".| @MikeRezendes

Content warning: The first AP article contains descriptions of sexual abuse that could be upsetting to some readers. Please know that help is available for free at the Utah Crisis Line. Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) [toll free] or 801-587-3000 [local]. Read more about the Utah Crisis Line on their website.

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