“Betrayal of Trust: The Shocking Story of a Therapist’s Abuse in Utah”
In a shocking case that has rocked the community of Provo, Utah, therapist Scott Owen was sentenced to at least 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing multiple patients during therapy sessions. The case came to light after a series of investigative reports by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica revealed a pattern of abuse by Owen, who had built a reputation as a specialist in helping gay men who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
One of Owen’s victims, identified only as Sam to protect his identity, bravely spoke out in court about the abuse he suffered at the hands of Owen. Sam recounted how Owen, who was also a high-ranking leader in the LDS Church at the time, used his position of trust to manipulate and exploit him, claiming that the sexual touching during their sessions was necessary for his healing and spiritual growth.
The courtroom was filled with other survivors who shared their stories of abuse at the hands of Owen. One man revealed that Owen had abused him during his time as a leader of a young men’s group organized by the LDS Church, while family members of a man who died by suicide disclosed that Owen had also abused him. Even Owen’s own cousin came forward, alleging that Owen had molested him when they were children.
Despite Owen’s apology in court, where he expressed remorse for his actions and surrendered his therapy license in 2018, the judge handed down a harsh sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Given Owen’s age and the nature of his crimes, it is likely that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The case has raised questions about the oversight of therapists and the responsibility of institutions like the LDS Church to vet and monitor the professionals they recommend to their members. While the church has stated that it takes all matters of sexual misconduct seriously, it acknowledged that it has no formal process in place to vet therapists recommended by its leaders.
For the survivors of Owen’s abuse, the sentencing was a bittersweet moment of closure. One survivor, identified only as Michael, spoke in court about the abuse he suffered at the hands of Owen and expressed his disappointment that charges could not be brought in his case. Despite the legal limitations, Michael urged his younger self to stay strong and persevere through the healing process.
The sentencing of Scott Owen serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in therapy sessions and the importance of holding abusers accountable for their actions. As the survivors continue on their journey to healing, the community of Provo grapples with the aftermath of this devastating case.