Statement by Joelle Casteix, SNAP Western Regional Leader, jcasteix@gmail.com, 949-322-7434

http://kutv.com/news/local/petition-calls-for-ending-church-leader-interviews-of-sexual-matters-lds-church-responds

No other reputable institutional church, private or public school, sports group, youth serving organization, or community center allows one-on-one meetings between adults and children. Why? It’s an invitation for sexual abuse. Why is the LDS church endorsing this horrible practice?

This week, the LDS Church defended conducting one-on-one interviews between high-ranking church officials and 12-to-17-year-old congregation members, saying that "Personal interviews are an important part of ministering to those in a congregation.” In these interviews, many of the adults ask the children about sex, masturbation, and pornography.

This week, the LDS Church defended conducting one-on-one interviews between high-ranking church officials and 12-to-17-year-old congregation members, saying that "Personal interviews are an important part of ministering to those in a congregation.” In these interviews, many of the adults ask the children about sex, masturbation, and pornography.

The ramifications of these meetings are horrific. They are an invitation for sexual abuse and exploitation. Even though parents are invited to be in the hallway next door, putting a child alone in a room with an adult in a position of power—who can ask the child probing questions about sex—is an open invitation for predators. What child will report that something bad happened during a meeting that the LDS Church calls a “sacred opportunity?” Our experience has shown us predators will abuse kids while their parents were in the next room or down the hall. All they need is a closed door.

We salute Sam Young, a former LDS Bishop who exposed this practice and is circulating a petition to stop it. We hope that LDS Church leaders embrace him and his idea, instead of shunning him. He is a hero for the children of LDS.