Protect The Children--Stop Sexually Explicit Interviews of Mormon Youth

This petition is not meant to disparage the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its leaders in anyway. Rather, its purpose is to call for major changes to one particular practice.

If you are uncomfortable with your name showing publicly, check the box "Hide my name from public." Your signature will then register as anonymous. Approximately 1/3rd of the signatories have chosen this option.

For decades, it has been common place for Bishops and other local leaders to pose questions of a sexual nature to children. There are reports of this happening to children as young as age 8. These questions are being asked by an older man, all alone with the child, behind closed doors and often without the knowledge or permission of the parents. Almost universally, these men have no comprehensive training.

Here is a list of potential harm. All the risks below are actual consequences that have been experienced from sexually oriented interviews with LDS children.

1. Suicide.
2. Attempted suicide.
3. Suicidal ideation.
4. Inappropriate shame and guilt.
5. Childhood filled with self loathing.
6. Adulthood filled with self loathing.
7. Normalizing children to sexual questions by adult men. (Grooming)
8. Sexual abuse. (Pedophilia)
9. Impaired sexual relations after marriage.
10. Years of recovery from childhood shaming. Often lasting decades.

Society-at-large recognizes that the Mormon practice of sexual interviews with children is wholly inappropriate. It's a dangerous and damaging practice.

It's time for us, as Mormons, and friends of Mormons, to stand up for our children...to stand up and require that children be protected.