Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Sexual abuse is any form of abuse that is nonconsensual and sexual in nature. Types of sexual abuse include unwanted sexual touching such as genital/breast touching or oral sex, being pressured into sexual acts, and rape. Sexual abuse can take many forms and can be perpetrated by someone the individual knows or a stranger. Statistically speaking you are more likely to be sexually abused by an individual known to you. Any form of abuse is serious and should be treated as such. If you or someone you love is being sexually abused, seek help and medical attention immediately.

It’s common for sexual abuse survivors to be hesitant about coming forward with such sensitive allegations, but there are ways to seek justice. Fighting for acknowledgement of the abuse and proper compensation may provide closure to survivors who have been dealing with the long-term effects of sexual abuse.

Survivors may be interested in either civil or criminal legal actions. Civil actions are focused on compensating the survivor for the abuse by holding the individual and/or institution accountable, while criminal actions are intended to punish the individual(s) who broke the law.

Discussing your claim with a legal professional may be the first step towards filing a civil claim. An attorney will listen to your allegations and help you navigate the legal process. They’ll also help you figure out the relevant sexual abuse statute of limitations for the state that you’re filing in since this will vary from state to state.

Survivors of sexual abuse by any institution or organization may be eligible to file a sexual abuse lawsuit as long as they are within the statute of limitations. Rhode Island’s legislature passed a bill that, when signed into law, will open a “lookback window” allowing expired civil claims for sexual abuse to include a two-year revival window from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028; meaning survivors who were previously barred from filing a lawsuit could file a civil sexual abuse claim during that time.

Seventy-five Catholic Church priests in the Diocese of Providence, RI, have been accused of sexual abuse against children dating back to 1950. This report from the Rhode Island Attorney General showed that over 300 young boys and girls were abused as children. It also showed that only a few have come forward about the abuse in the decades since it occurred. From this investigation, four criminal cases against Diocesan personnel have emerged. Learn more about the AG’s report and a list of 75 accused clergy who were named within it.

Defendants in sexual abuse lawsuits

Aside from the individuals responsible for the specific acts, defendants often named in sexual abuse lawsuits may include:

• College campuses
• Corporate companies
• Detention centers
• Hospitals and/or Doctors
• Religious institutions
• Schools
• Treatment facilities
• Workplaces
• Rideshare companies

These defendants may be held liable in abuse complaints if they knew about the abuse and failed to report it or didn’t take appropriate actions to stop it from continuing. Ignoring survivors' claims not only puts the survivors in further danger, but it may also have allowed the abuse to continue and affect other innocent people.

Beyond contacting law enforcement, other national resources for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse include:

• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): The country’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. It provides access to programs aimed at preventing sexual violence and helping survivors pursue justice.
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): A nonprofit organization that provides resources to prevent and tackle issues of sexual assault and violence. NSVRC works to shed light on sexual violence to help individuals and communities.

Review a list of Rhode Island resources.

What evidence is needed to file a sexual abuse lawsuit?

Due to the historic nature of many sexual abuse claims, oftentimes a survivor’s testimony is sufficient evidence to move forward with a civil case. Attorneys can help you compile and gather all evidence to build your case and prove your claims.

How can an attorney help sexual abuse survivors seek justice?

Sexual abuse attorneys can help survivors gather evidence, build a case, name defendants and litigate for them in court. Our attorneys use trauma-informed techniques to support survivors through any legal action they’d like to take against their abusers.

At Motley Rice, our trauma-informed attorneys work with sexual abuse survivors nationwide. We help clients understand their rights, file claims and hold the responsible parties accountable for ignoring and covering up sexual abuse. Our attorneys have our clients’ best interests at heart, especially when it comes to sensitive matters, like sexual abuse, that are not easy to navigate.

Learn more about our sexual abuse litigation experience.