How Religious Exemptions Let a Conversion ‘Therapist’ assault Gay Mormons
This is a dark truth behind Utah’s conversion-therapy ban loophole
Content warning: This article discusses conversion therapy and sexual abuse in therapeutic settings.
At 22, Andrew walked into what he believed was a life-saving therapy session. His LDS (Mormon) bishop had just referred him to Scott Owen, a therapist known for helping gay church members. Instead of finding help, Andrew entered a nightmare of sexual abuse that would take nearly a decade to uncover.
This week, Owen pleaded guilty to sexually abusing multiple clients.
But the story behind his plea reveals something more disturbing: how Utah’s religious exemptions for mental-health counseling created conditions for predators.
The Ideal Hunting Ground
A hidden crisis has been developing in Utah’s LDS communities:
Young gay members facing challenges with their sexuality
Church leaders referring them to “experts”
Religious exemptions for discredited conversion therapy
A culture of silence shielding abusers
Owen built his practice on this fe…