Did You Experience Sexual Abuse at St. George’s School?
Rhode Island’s new revival window may allow you to file a lawsuit even if the abuse occurred decades ago. Contact Andreozzi + Foote for a confidential consultation.
For decades, former students of St. George’s School in Middletown, Rhode Island, carried painful memories of abuse they say occurred behind the walls of one of New England’s most prestigious boarding schools.
An extensive independent investigation later revealed that those survivors were not alone.
Now, as Rhode Island moves forward with legislation creating a revival window for expired child sexual abuse claims, additional former St. George’s students who never came forward or who believed it was too late to seek justice may have another opportunity to hold institutions accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions About St. George’s School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Can I still file a lawsuit against St. George’s School if the abuse happened decades ago?
Possibly. Rhode Island’s newly enacted childhood sexual abuse revival window allows many survivors whose claims were previously barred by the statute of limitations to pursue civil lawsuits. The revival window takes effect on July 1, 2026, and remains open through June 30, 2028. Survivors should consult with a St. George School sexual abuse attorney as soon as possible to understand whether they may qualify under the new law.
What is the Rhode Island revival window?
The Rhode Island revival window temporarily reopens the civil justice system to survivors of childhood sexual abuse whose claims would otherwise have been dismissed because too much time had passed. The law recognizes that many survivors do not disclose abuse until years or even decades later and allows courts to evaluate claims based on their merits rather than the passage of time.
Can I sue St. George’s School even if the person who abused me has died?
Yes. In some cases, survivors may still be able to pursue claims against the institution itself, even if the perpetrator is deceased. Civil lawsuits involving childhood sexual abuse often focus not only on the conduct of the individual abuser but also on whether the institution failed to protect children, ignored warning signs, or allowed abuse to continue.
What if I was abused by a teacher, coach, dorm parent, athletic trainer, or another staff member?
You may still have legal options. The St. George’s School investigation involved allegations against multiple employees in positions of trust. Rhode Island’s revival window may permit claims involving a variety of individuals affiliated with the school, including faculty members, coaches, residential staff, and other adults entrusted with student safety.
What compensation can survivors seek through a civil lawsuit?
Every case is unique, but survivors may be able to pursue compensation for damages, including:
- Emotional pain and suffering;
- Psychological injuries and trauma;
- Medical and counseling expenses;
- Lost income or diminished earning capacity;
- Loss of enjoyment of life; and
- Other damages permitted under Rhode Island law.
A civil lawsuit can also provide survivors with answers, accountability, and an opportunity to expose institutional failures.
What evidence do I need to bring a St. George’s School sexual abuse lawsuit?
You do not need to have police reports, photographs, or extensive documentation to speak with a St. George School sexual abuse attorney. Many survivors come forward decades after the abuse occurred. Attorneys can help investigate claims by reviewing school records, independent reports, witness statements, prior allegations, and other evidence that may support a case.
What if I never reported the abuse to anyone?
Many survivors never disclosed their experiences while they were students. Delayed disclosure is common among survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Fear, shame, confusion, trauma, and concerns about not being believed often prevent children from reporting abuse at the time it occurs. The fact that you did not previously report the abuse does not necessarily prevent you from pursuing a claim.
Can I remain confidential if I contact an attorney?
Yes. Conversations with an attorney are confidential. Speaking with a lawyer does not obligate you to file a lawsuit. It simply allows you to understand your legal rights and options in a private and supportive environment.
How much does it cost to hire Andreozzi + Foote?
Andreozzi + Foote St. George School sexual abuse attorneys represent survivors on a contingency fee basis. That means survivors pay no upfront legal fees, and the firm only receives a fee if it successfully obtains a recovery on the survivor’s behalf.
Why should I choose Andreozzi + Foote?
Andreozzi + Foote is a nationally recognized law firm dedicated exclusively to representing survivors of sexual abuse. Our attorneys have spent decades helping survivors pursue accountability against perpetrators and the institutions that enabled abuse. We understand the courage it takes to come forward and approach every case with compassion, respect, and a trauma-informed perspective.
How do I know if I have a St. George’s School sexual abuse case?
The best way to determine whether you may have a claim is to speak with an experienced sexual abuse attorney. Even if you are uncertain whether your experience qualifies, an attorney can review the facts of your situation, explain how Rhode Island’s revival window applies, and help you understand your options.
How do I contact Andreozzi + Foote regarding a potential lawsuit against St. George’s School?
If you experienced sexual abuse while attending St. George’s School, you can contact Andreozzi + Foote for a free and confidential consultation. Our team is available to listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you determine whether pursuing a civil claim is right for you.
The History of Sexual Abuse at St. George’s School
St. George’s School, an elite private boarding school founded in 1896, became the focus of national attention after former students publicly disclosed allegations of sexual abuse by faculty and staff spanning decades.
In response, the school and a group of survivors commissioned an independent investigation led by Boston attorney Martin F. Murphy. The resulting 390-page report examined allegations from 1970 through 2015 and uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse and institutional failures.
According to the Murphy Report, at least 61 former students reported experiencing sexual abuse or misconduct while attending the school.
Investigators found that 51 students were abused by at least 10 faculty or staff members, while another 10 students reported abuse perpetrated by fellow students.
The report described what investigators characterized as a “private hell” for many victims who attended the school during those years.
Multiple Faculty Members Allegedly Abused Students
The investigation identified numerous school employees accused of sexual misconduct involving students.
- Al Gibbs
- Franklin Coleman
- Donald McClellan
- Robert “Bob” Sargent
- Other faculty identified through investigations
Among the most significant findings were allegations involving former athletic trainer Al Gibbs. According to the report, Gibbs allegedly abused at least 31 female students over the course of his employment.
The investigation also documented allegations involving multiple faculty members, coaches, and staff members who allegedly exploited their positions of authority and trust to gain access to children.
While some allegations involved inappropriate touching and sexual contact, investigators also identified grooming behaviors, boundary violations, emotional manipulation, and institutional responses that allegedly failed to prioritize student safety.
Timeline of the St. George’s School Abuse
1970s–1980s
Former students later report abuse.
1988
Anne Scott files suit.
2015
Independent investigation commissioned.
2016
Up to 30 survivors settle claims.
2026
Rhode Island revival window opens.
Institutional Leaders Faced Sharp Criticism
The Murphy Report did not focus solely on individual perpetrators.
Investigators also examined how school administrators responded when allegations surfaced.
The report sharply criticized the former school leadership, including former Headmasters Anthony Zane and Eric Peterson. Investigators concluded that school officials repeatedly failed to report allegations of abuse to law enforcement or child welfare authorities and failed to take sufficient action to protect students.
The findings echoed a pattern seen in many institutional abuse cases across the country: concerns were raised, warning signs existed, and opportunities to intervene were missed.
For survivors, those institutional failures often become just as significant as the abuse itself.
Criminal Charges Never Materialized
Prior to the publication of the Murphy Report, the Rhode Island State Police conducted a seven-month criminal investigation into allegations involving St. George’s School.
Ultimately, prosecutors did not bring criminal charges.
According to public reporting, many allegations involved conduct that occurred decades earlier, placing them outside the applicable criminal statutes of limitations. In addition, several accused perpetrators had died before the investigation concluded.
The absence of criminal charges did not invalidate survivors’ experiences. Rather, it highlighted a common challenge in child sexual abuse cases: many survivors do not disclose abuse until years or even decades later.
By the time they come forward, criminal prosecution is often no longer possible.
The 2016 Settlement
In 2016, St. George’s School reached a settlement with approximately 30 former students who alleged they had experienced sexual abuse while attending the institution.
The financial terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed.
While the settlement resolved claims for many survivors, it did not necessarily account for every person identified in the Murphy Report. Nor did it address individuals who may not have been ready to come forward at that time.
For many survivors of childhood sexual abuse, disclosure is a lengthy and deeply personal process. Some need years before they feel emotionally prepared to discuss what happened.
Rhode Island Opens a New Window for Survivors
Rhode Island lawmakers recently approved legislation creating a revival window for expired child sexual abuse claims.
If enacted as expected, the law will allow survivors whose civil claims would otherwise be barred by statutes of limitations to file lawsuits during a designated period, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred.
These revival windows recognize what researchers, advocates, and survivors have long understood: childhood sexual abuse frequently remains undisclosed for years or decades.
Many survivors struggle with shame, fear, trauma, self-blame, or concerns that no one will believe them. Others only begin connecting the long-term effects of abuse to their experiences later in life.
By temporarily reopening expired claims, lawmakers provide survivors with an opportunity to seek accountability even when traditional filing deadlines have passed.
Can Survivors Still File St. George’s School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits?
The Murphy Report identified at least 61 reported victims. Approximately 30 survivors participated in the 2016 settlement.
As a result, there may be additional former students who never participated in prior litigation, never reported their abuse, or believed it was too late to pursue legal action.
The new Rhode Island revival window may create an opportunity for those survivors to evaluate whether legal remedies remain available.
Civil litigation can do more than provide compensation.
It can uncover records, expose institutional decision-making, identify patterns of misconduct, and help survivors obtain answers that were unavailable for years.
In many institutional abuse cases, lawsuits have revealed previously unknown complaints, internal communications, and decisions that allowed abuse to continue.
Why Institutional Accountability Matters
Cases like St. George’s demonstrate that child sexual abuse rarely occurs in isolation.
When abuse occurs within schools, religious organizations, youth-serving programs, athletic organizations, or other institutions, investigators often discover broader questions:
- Did adults ignore warning signs?
- Did administrators fail to act on complaints?
- Were reports properly investigated?
- Did institutional policies adequately protect children?
- Could additional abuse have been prevented?
These questions remain important regardless of whether criminal charges are ever filed.
Institutions entrusted with children’s safety must be held accountable when they fail to protect those in their care.
Speaking With a St. George School Sexual Abuse Attorney About Your Rights
If you attended St. George’s School and experienced sexual abuse by a teacher, coach, staff member, administrator, or another individual connected to the institution, you may have legal options.
Recent changes to Rhode Island law may create new opportunities for survivors whose claims were previously time-barred.
Andreozzi + Foote represents survivors of childhood sexual abuse and institutional abuse nationwide.
We offer free, confidential consultations to help survivors understand their rights and explore potential legal options.
You deserve answers. You deserve accountability. And you deserve to know whether the law may now provide a path forward. Speak to our St. George School sexual abuse attorneys today.
Contact us today.
(866) 858-3790
