Rhode Island Sexual Assault Lawyer

Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Rhode Island​

The statute of limitations on sexual assault in Rhode Island​ was recently extended to allow the filing of childhood sexual abuse claims, creating a temporary revival window for expired cases.

In June 2026, Governor Dan McKee signed legislation creating a 2-year revival window, allowing many time-barred childhood sexual abuse claims to move forward. The window runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.

Here's more about the extended RI statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits:

• Who can be sued: Individuals and institutions or supervisors accused of enabling, concealing, or failing to report child sexual abuse
• Where it applies: Churches, schools, youth organizations, health care facilities, athletic programs, and similar institutions
• Why now: Passed after a 282-page RI Attorney General report on decades of alleged abuse and cover-ups at the Diocese of Providence
• Deadline: Window closes June 30, 2028 — after that, expired claims may be barred again unless lawmakers extend it
• Old rule: Survivors previously had until 35 years after turning 18, or 7 years from discovering the abuse caused their injuries, whichever was longer (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51)

If you experienced childhood sexual abuse in Rhode Island and believed it was too late to file a lawsuit, this new law may give you another opportunity to seek justice.

Because investigating abuse claims and gathering evidence can take time, it's important to begin the process as early as possible.

Where Does Sexual Abuse Occur in Rhode Island?

Sexual abuse can occur anywhere a child or vulnerable person is placed in the care of a trusted adult or institution. In many cases, organizations failed to prevent abuse or ignored warning signs, allowing it to continue for years.

Rhode Island survivors have reported abuse in a wide range of settings, including:

• Churches and religious institutions
• Colleges and universities
• Foster care and state-run youth programs
• Hospitals and health care facilities
• Private and public schools
• Online platforms and gaming apps like Roblox^®, where predators have posed as minors to groom and exploit children through chat and messaging features
• Youth organizations like the Boy Scouts

Below are some of the institutions and organizations in Rhode Island where survivors have publicly reported sexual abuse or where abuse allegations have led to investigations or lawsuits.

Rhode Island Clergy Abuse​

In March 2026, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha released a damning report on decades of child sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence.

The report identified 75 credibly accused clergy members connected to more than 300 survivors, with abuse dating back to 1950 and continuing as recently as 2011.

Accused priests were assigned to roughly 185 institutions across 32 of Rhode Island's 39 municipalities, showing the widespread harm.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence

For decades, allegations of clergy sexual abuse have surfaced across numerous parishes and ministries within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. Public investigations have now brought these allegations into the light.

Parishes named in connection with Rhode Island priest abuse include:

• Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul, Providence
• Holy Family Parish, Woonsocket
• Immaculate Conception Church, Cranston
• Our Lady of Mercy Church, East Greenwich
• Our Lady of Victory Parish, Hopkinton
• Providence South CYO Center / Father Marot CYO Center, Woonsocket
• Sacred Heart Church & School, West Warwick
• SS. Peter & Paul Church, West Warwick
• St. Agatha Church, Woonsocket
• St. Agnes Church & St. Ann Church, Providence
• St. Elizabeth Parish, Bristol
• St. Francis Xavier, East Providence
• St. Joseph School & Church, West Warwick
• St. Luke Church, Barrington
• St. Martha Church, East Providence
• St. Philip Parish, Greenville
• St. Vincent de Paul Church, Coventry

Survivors who endured RI clergy abuse at one of these or another Diocese of Providence ministry may have legal options. Claims may be brought against both the individual abuser and the institution that allegedly enabled the abuse.

List of Priests Accused of Abuse in Rhode Island​

The Rhode Island Attorney General's investigation details allegations involving 75 clergy members who served throughout the Diocese of Providence over several decades.

The list of priests accused of abuse in RI​ includes:

• Monsignor Allard: Accused of grooming and sexually abusing a child in 1981 while serving in senior leadership roles within the Diocese's youth programs.
• Father Roger Belhumeur: Served at a Providence parish from 1979 to 1994, where one survivor reported being abused 30 to 40 times.
• Father Normand Demers: Assigned to multiple parishes, schools, and hospitals between 1965 and 2002 despite the Diocese reportedly being aware of concerns dating back to 1965. He has also been accused of trafficking boys and hosting parties involving minors.
• Father Diogo: Found by the Diocese to have credibly abused a child as young as 5 during piano lessons in the 1950s and 1960s, yet reportedly remained pastor emeritus for decades.
• Deacon Kevin Fisette: Criminally indicted on charges of first-degree child molestation involving alleged abuse in Burrillville during 1981 and 1982.
• Father Marcantonio: Credibly accused of abusing 17 children and allegedly reassigned to new positions, including simultaneous roles at Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island, instead of being removed from ministry after allegations surfaced.
• Father Edmond Micarelli: A Boy Scout chaplain accused of abusing 16 known victims, including the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old at Camp Yawgoog in 1971.
• Father Peter Petrocelli: Criminally indicted on multiple child molestation charges involving 3 alleged victims between 1981 and 1990.

These examples represent only a small portion of the allegations documented by investigators. If you were abused by a member of the clergy in Rhode Island, you may still have a path to justice.

Sexual Assault on Campus in Rhode Island

Colleges and universities should provide a safe learning environment, but sexual assault can occur on and off campus.

Schools in Rhode Island where sexual abuse has happened include:

• Brown University
• Rhode Island College
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

In 2022, over 50 rapes were reported across Salve Regina University, Brown University, Johnson and Wales University, the University of Rhode Island, Providence College, Bryant University and Roger Williams University. Brown reported the highest number with 21, per 10 WJAR.

In some cases, survivors have alleged that Rhode Island schools failed to prevent abuse, respond appropriately to reports, or protect students from known risks.

Brown University Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Brown University was hit with a federal class action lawsuit alleging the school repeatedly failed to protect students from sexual assault.

Filed by 4 current and former students, the lawsuit claimed that the university discouraged survivors from reporting Brown University rapes and assaults, mishandled investigations, and maintained a culture that allowed sexual misconduct to persist.

The lawsuit sought class action status on behalf of women who attended Brown University beginning in 2018 and were survivors of sexual violence.

Providence College Sexual Assault

In one federal lawsuit, a sophomore alleged that Providence College failed to investigate her reports of sexual assault and did not adequately protect her from a fellow student she described as a "predator."

According to the survivor's RI campus sexual assault attorney, the accused repeatedly sexually touched her, violated a no-contact order, and continued to harass her despite multiple reports to the college.

She claimed Providence College failed to take appropriate action, forcing her to take medical leave and disrupting her education. The lawsuit sought damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and harm to her educational opportunities.

Rhode Island College Sexual Assault

Robert Marcantonio is a priest credibly accused of abusing 17 children. He held a ministry assignment at Rhode Island College, with roles at the University of Rhode Island and Bryant College.

He was allegedly transferred between institutions rather than removed once his alleged abuse was known to the Diocese.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Sexual Abuse

A judge ordered the Rhode Island School of Design to pay a $2.5 Million sexual abuse verdict to a graduate student who was assaulted during a school-sponsored study abroad program in Ireland.

The court found that RISD:

• Assigned students to housing where bedroom doors did not have working locks
• Failed to inspect the housing or ensure students could secure their rooms
• Required students to stay in the accommodations selected by the school
• Knew of a similar sexual assault during a RISD-sponsored study abroad program several years earlier but failed to address the safety risk

Although the court found RISD responded appropriately after the assault was reported, it concluded the school was negligent in providing unsafe housing that allowed the assault to occur.

These are just a few of the colleges and universities in Rhode Island where sexual abuse is alleged to have occurred. Campus sexual abuse attorneys in Rhode Island​ can work to hold negligent schools accountable.

Institutional Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island

Beyond clergy and campus cases, several other Rhode Island institutions have faced allegations involving staff, volunteers, or contracted employees.

In many of these cases, lawsuits have alleged that organizations failed to properly screen employees or volunteers, ignored warning signs, failed to report abuse, or allowed perpetrators to continue working with those in their care.

Rhode Island Boy Scouts Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse allegations involving the Boy Scouts have also surfaced in Rhode Island. Public reports and legal claims have identified abuse connected to local troops, scouting camps, and clergy who served in scouting leadership roles.

Examples of Boy Scouts groups accused of assault include:

• Camp Yawgoog Scout Reservation, Rockville (Hopkinton): Former Diocese of Providence chaplain Father Edmond Micarelli was accused of sexually abusing multiple boys, including a 12-year-old at Camp Yawgoog in 1971.
• Boy Scout Troop, St. Matthew's Church (Central Falls): Public records have linked sexual abuse allegations to a troop that met at St. Matthew's Church.
• Diocese of Providence Chaplaincy for Scouting: The Rhode Island Attorney General's investigation identified clergy members who served as chaplains or in scouting-related ministries while facing credible allegations of sexual abuse.

Survivors who were abused while participating in the Boy Scouts or another youth organization in Rhode Island may have legal options against both the individual abuser and the organizations that allegedly failed to protect them.

Rhode Island Foster Care Sexual Abuse

The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), which oversees the state's child welfare and foster care system, has faced scrutiny over allegations that children in their care were sexually abused by foster parents, caregivers, and others entrusted with their safety.

In 6 of the last 10 years, Rhode Island has had the highest rate of abuse of children while in foster care compared to all other states, according to the advocacy organization Children’s Rights.

There have been multiple documented instances of children in Rhode Island's foster care system being sexually abused, including a case involving abuse at a group home and another where DCYF placed a child in a home with a registered sex offender.

The foster care system is meant to protect children, but all too often, vulnerable minors are placed in a home with predators. Those affected may be able to seek justice from a Rhode Island foster care abuse lawsuit.

Rhode Island Health Care Abuse

Hospitals and health care facilities are places where patients and families should feel safe. However, several Rhode Island health care institutions have been connected to sexual abuse allegations involving employees, medical staff, or clergy serving in chaplaincy roles.

Examples of Rhode Island medical care abuse include:

• Bradley Hospital: Two employees have faced criminal charges for allegedly sexually assaulting juvenile patients. In separate cases, one staff member was charged with second-degree sexual assault involving a patient in 2018, while another was charged in 2025 with second-degree sexual assault and solicitation of a minor.
• Rhode Island Hospital: Deacon Kevin Fisette served as a hospital chaplain during the same period he allegedly sexually abused a child. Father D'Angelo also served at the hospital during periods when abuse allegations existed.
• Our Lady of Fatima Hospital: Father Normand Demers was reportedly assigned to the hospital from 1965 to 1973 after the Diocese had already received reports of possible misconduct.

Health care systems have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for patients. When that duty is breached, survivors may be able to pursue compensation from those responsible.

Rhode Island School Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse allegations in Rhode Island have involved both private and public schools, with claims against teachers, coaches, and other trusted adults.

In some cases, survivors have alleged that school officials failed to respond appropriately to reports of misconduct or allowed perpetrators continued access to students.

Examples of Rhode Island school abuse include:

• Bishop Hendricken High School (Warwick): A former principal was indicted in the 1980s on charges involving a minor, and more recently, a teacher was accused of using classroom access to sexually exploit students online.
• La Salle Academy (Providence): The Rhode Island Attorney General's report identified multiple priests assigned to the school who were later accused of sexually abusing children.
• Mount Saint Charles Academy (Woonsocket): A religious brother assigned to the school was identified in the Attorney General's investigation as being credibly accused of sexual misconduct.
• North Kingstown High School and Davisville Middle School: Multiple coaches have faced allegations of sexually abusing or exploiting student athletes.
• Portsmouth Abbey School (Portsmouth): Two priests identified in the Attorney General's report served at the school, including one who spent decades as a teacher, coach, and athletic director before abuse allegations became public.
• Roger Williams Junior High School (Providence): A priest later named in the Attorney General's investigation previously served as a teacher and social arts coordinator at the school.
• St. George's School (Middletown): An independent investigation found that dozens of former students reported sexual abuse by faculty and staff over several decades.
• St. Raphael Academy (Pawtucket): A former guidance counselor and priest assigned to the school was later accused of sexually abusing a student.

Schools and other educational institutions may be held accountable when they fail to protect students from foreseeable abuse or ignore reports of misconduct.

Youth & Behavioral Health Facilities

Children placed in behavioral health programs, residential treatment centers, and other youth facilities are often among the most vulnerable. When staff members or caregivers abuse that trust, institutions may be held accountable.

RI facilities that have been connected to sexual abuse allegations include:

• Bradley Hospital (East Providence): Multiple employees have faced criminal charges for allegedly sexually assaulting juvenile patients receiving psychiatric care.
• St. Mary's Home for Children (North Providence): The facility has faced lawsuits and public scrutiny over allegations of sexual abuse involving children in their care.
• Training School for Youth (Cranston): Former residents have reported sexual abuse and misconduct by staff while housed at the state's juvenile correctional facility.

Youth-serving institutions have a responsibility to protect the children entrusted to their care. When they fail to prevent abuse or ignore reports of misconduct, survivors deserve answers, accountability, and the opportunity to pursue justice.

Who Can File a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Rhode Island?

You may be able to file a sexual abuse lawsuit in Rhode Island if you were sexually abused as a child or adult and your claim falls within Rhode Island's current statute of limitations.

Sexual abuse in Rhode Island may involve:

• Grooming, coercion, or an abuse of trust or authority
• Rape or attempted rape
• Sexual exploitation or misconduct
• Unwanted sexual contact or touching

Even if the person who abused you has died, you may still be able to pursue a claim against their estate or an institution that enabled, concealed, or failed to prevent the abuse.

Evidence for a Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

Many survivors worry they don't have enough evidence because the abuse happened years or even decades ago. However, sexual abuse cases often rely on many different types of evidence.

Evidence for a Rhode Island sexual abuse lawsuit may include:

• Medical, counseling, or therapy records
• Police reports or reports made to a school, church, or other institution
• Survivor testimony
• Witness statements
• Personnel files, disciplinary records, or evidence of institutional cover-ups
• Government reports, independent investigations, or other records documenting abuse

Our Rhode Island sexual assault lawyers can help gather records, identify supporting evidence, and work to build a strong case, even if the abuse occurred many years ago.

Rhode Island Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault​

Even if you believe too much time has passed, you may still be able to file a Rhode Island sexual abuse lawsuit.

Recent changes to Rhode Island law have created new opportunities for some survivors to seek compensation from both individual abusers and the institutions that failed to protect them.

2-Year Revival Window Gives Survivors More Time to File

It can take years for survivors of abuse to come forward as they process trauma and overcome feelings of fear or shame. A report by Rhode Island’s Attorney General on the Diocese of Providence found that survivors took an average of 26 years to report the abuse.

The state’s new revival window accounts for this reality, allowing certain previously expired childhood sexual abuse claims to move forward between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2028.

Because this opportunity is only temporary, it's important to understand whether your claim qualifies before the deadline expires. Call Sokolove Law now at (800) 995-1212 for a free, no-obligation case review.

Rhode Island Sexual Assault Statistics​

While official data provides important insight into sexual violence in Rhode Island, many incidents are never reported to law enforcement. As a result, the actual number of survivors is likely much higher than available statistics suggest.

Key Rhode Island sexual assault statistics include:

• Approximately 50% of all sexual assaults reported to Rhode Island law enforcement involve victims 17 years old or younger, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
• Sexual assaults against juveniles account for roughly 15% of all violent crimes investigated by Rhode Island law enforcement, BJS reported.
• More than three-quarters of the violent crimes endured by those ages 5 to 13 involved a sexual assault.
• 96% of offenders identified in reported sexual assault cases are male, according to BJS.
• The Rhode Island Attorney General's investigation identified 75 credibly accused clergy members who allegedly abused more than 300 children between 1950 and 2011.
• Of the 75 credibly accused clergy, 61 were diocesan priests or deacons, 13 belonged to religious orders, and 1 was an extern priest.
• It took survivors abused by clergy in Rhode Island​ an average of 26 years to report the abuse, showing the time it can take for those harmed to come forward.
• Victims of abusive priests in Rhode Island were typically between 11 and 14 years old when the abuse began, with boys more likely to be abused by a margin of 5 to 1.
• The investigation concluded that the clergy abuse crisis affected 36 Rhode Island cities and towns, with accused clergy serving in parishes, schools, hospitals, and other ministries across the state.
• Over 39% of Rhode Islanders identify as Catholic, the highest percentage of any U.S. state, a factor the Rhode Island Attorney General cited when discussing the widespread clergy sexual abuse uncovered within the Diocese of Providence.

Because many survivors never report sexual abuse, these figures likely represent only a fraction of the true scope of the problem.

What to Expect When Working with a RI Sex Assault Lawyer

If you decide to pursue a sexual abuse lawsuit, a RI sex assault lawyer at Sokolove Law can guide you through each step of the legal process while handling the investigation and communications with the defendants whenever possible.

Here's what to expect when you reach out to our team:

• Share Your Story: We'll listen to what happened during a free legal consultation, answer your questions, and determine whether you may have a claim under Rhode Island law.
• Gather Evidence: Your legal team will collect records, identify witnesses, review institutional documents, and gather other evidence to build the strongest case possible.
• File Your Lawsuit: Your attorney will prepare and file the necessary legal documents against the individuals and institutions responsible for the abuse.
• Pursue Compensation: Many Rhode Island sexual abuse lawsuits are resolved through negotiated settlements, but if an agreement cannot be reached, your lawyer can continue fighting for you in court.

Your team will keep you informed, explain your options, and advocate for your interests while working to hold those responsible accountable.

Get Help from a Rhode Island Sexual Assault Lawyer

At Sokolove Law, we understand how difficult it can be to come forward after experiencing sexual abuse.

Our Rhode Island sexual assault lawyers are here to listen, explain your legal rights, and help you pursue accountability from the individuals and institutions responsible.

Here's why survivors and families choose Sokolove Law:

• 45+ years helping injury victims nationwide
• More than $10.5 Billion total recovered for clients
• No upfront costs or hourly attorney fees
• Available 24/7 to answer your questions

Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our online form for a free case review. Whether the abuse happened recently or years ago, we're here to help you understand your legal options.

Rhode Island Sex Assault Attorney FAQs