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Video examines Church abuse hotline and legal response to victim advocates

September 4, 2026 at 3:05 AM MT · via YouTube / We Are The People Utah · Summarized by Mormon News from original reporting

A YouTube video from We Are The People Utah features Jason and Alexia Preston with Tom Stallings discussing the Michael Jensen abuse case and allegations that LDS Church leaders failed to protect children from a known threat. The video, drawing 7,311 views in 44 hours, examines the Church's abuse hotline and legal actions against advocates.

Stallings recounts his family's experience in West Virginia and the legal battle surrounding the case. The video focuses on allegations that Church policy routed abuse reports to attorneys rather than law enforcement, and that victims or their advocates faced lawsuits when they spoke publicly.

The Church's help line directs bishops to call a hotline staffed by social workers and attorneys when abuse is reported. Critics argue the system prioritizes legal protection over mandatory reporting, while the Church maintains it complies with all applicable laws and encourages reporting to civil authorities.

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