Rhode Island Child Sexual Abuse Law for Survivors and Institutional Accountability
Rhode Island Opens Two-Year Window for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors to Seek Justice
On June 11, 2026, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed legislation giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse a new opportunity to pursue civil claims that would otherwise be permanently closed. The law opens a two-year “revival window” beginning July 1, 2026, and closing June 30, 2028.
The new law temporarily removes statute of limitations barriers for certain child sexual abuse claims, allowing survivors to pursue lawsuits against both individual perpetrators and the institutions that enabled, concealed, or failed to prevent abuse.
What the Rhode Island “Revival Window” Law Does
For many survivors, the biggest barrier to civil justice has never been the willingness to come forward; it has been timing. Under previous Rhode Island law, survivors who waited too long to file a lawsuit, regardless of the reason, lost their right to sue entirely.
This new law changes that in two important ways:
- 35 years from the date of the abuse, or
- Seven years from the date they first discovered the connection between their injuries and the abuse, whichever is later.
The statute of limitations does not begin running until the survivor reaches the age of 18.
What This Means for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island
If you were sexually abused as a child in Rhode Island and believed your opportunity to seek justice had passed, this law may change that.
Beginning July 1, 2026, survivors have a two-year window to file lawsuits that were previously barred by the statute of limitations. The revival window closes June 30, 2028.
The law applies broadly to abuse occurring in institutional settings, including:
- Religious organizations and churches
- Schools and educational institutions
- Youth programs
- Athletic organizations
- Camps and community organizations
- Any institution entrusted with the care and supervision of children
For many survivors, accountability is not only about compensation, but it is also about exposing wrongdoing, protecting future generations, and reclaiming a sense of justice that was previously denied.
If you were sexually abused by a priest, counselor, teacher, or coach, we want to help you. Contact us confidentially today.
Rhode Island Attorney General Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence
The passage of this legislation follows the release of a 284-page report by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha examining clergy sexual abuse within the Diocese of Providence.
Released in March 2026, the report documented more than 300 survivors of abuse within the Diocese and identified 75 clergy members with credible allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 1950. The report further detailed allegations that Church officials concealed abuse for decades.
The report’s findings intensified calls for reform and helped build momentum behind the legislation.
If You or Someone You Know Was Abused by Clergy, You Are Not Alone
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