In deeply Mormon Utah, a push to require clergy report abuse

By SAM METZ
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — 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. Reform advocates on Friday held a rally in Salt Lake City to share stories of survivors who said their sexual abuse wasn’t reported to law enforcement after they alerted local church leaders. The rally follows an Associated Press story about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its abuse reporting system. The investigation found the system can be misused by church leaders to divert abuse accusations away from law enforcement and instead to church attorneys who may bury the problem, leaving victims in harm’s way.