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Breach of Trust

Utah’s Troubled Handling of Sexual Assaults

When health care workers sexually abuse their patients in Utah, survivors confront obstacles to justice: in the law, in the courts — and in the culture as a whole.

Impact of Our Reporting
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Breach of Trust

Utah Ex-Therapist Scott Owen Sentenced to Prison for Sexually Abusing Patients

Owen’s 15-year-to-life prison term follows a 2023 investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica that uncovered a range of sex abuse allegations against the ex-therapist, who claimed to be a specialist for struggling gay Latter-day Saints men.

Local Reporting Network

Breach of Trust

Utah Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Patients “Using His Position as a Therapist”

The plea comes after an investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica about the former therapist, who built a reputation as a specialist for struggling gay Latter-day Saints men.

Local Reporting Network

Breach of Trust

Utah Therapist Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Abusing Patients During Sessions

Scott Owen, who was considered an expert in helping struggling gay Latter-day Saint men, is accused of assaulting his patients.

Local Reporting Network

Breach of Trust

These Men Say Their Utah Therapist Touched Them Inappropriately During Sessions Paid for by the LDS Church

A spokesperson for the church said it does not vet the therapists its bishops recommend and pay for, saying “it is up to church members” to “make their own decisions.”

Local Reporting Network

Breach of Trust

Legislators Vote to Fix Utah Law That Made It Hard for Some Sexual Assault Survivors to Sue

The vote last week helps those assaulted in medical settings. But it won’t help the 94 women whose suit brought the issue to light.

Local Reporting Network

15 stories published since 2023

Utah Supreme Court Rules That Alleged Sexual Assault by a Doctor Is Not “Health Care”

Utah OB-GYN David Broadbent Charged With Forcible Sexual Abuse

When Therapists Lose Their Licenses, Some Turn to the Unregulated Life Coaching Industry Instead

¿Preocupada por su visita al ginecobstetra? Una guía sobre lo que debería suceder —y lo que no debería suceder.

Mujeres de Utah intentaron denunciar agresiones sexuales a la policía. Dicen que enfrentaron retrasos y barreras lingüísticas.

Utah Women Tried to Report Sexual Assaults to Police. They Say They Faced Delays and Language Barriers.

Ella confió en su primer ginecobstetra porque hablaba español. Ahora es una de las 94 mujeres que lo demandan por agresión sexual.

She Trusted Her First OB-GYN Because He Spoke Spanish. Now She’s 1 of 94 Women Suing Him for Sexual Assault.

Concerned About Your OB-GYN Visit? A Guide to What Should Happen — and What Shouldn’t.

A Utah Therapist Built a Reputation for Helping Gay Latter-day Saints. These Men Say He Sexually Abused Them.

Utah’s Secretive Medical Malpractice Panels Make It Even Harder to Sue Providers

Ayude a ProPublica y The Salt Lake Tribune a investigar las agresiones sexuales en Utah

94 mujeres alegan que un médico de Utah las agredió sexualmente. Esta es la razón por la que un juez desestimó su caso.

Help ProPublica and The Salt Lake Tribune Investigate Sexual Assault in Utah

94 Women Allege a Utah Doctor Sexually Assaulted Them. Here’s Why a Judge Threw Out Their Case.

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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