Rhode Island Child Sexual Abuse Window
From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, eligible survivors may be able to file previously expired claims against institutions that enabled or concealed abuse. Contact Andreozzi + Foote for a free, confidential consultation.
ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
Speaking about clergy sexual abuse is never easy. When the abuse involves a trusted religious leader, many survivors do not come forward until years later. If you experienced sexual abuse by a member of the clergy in Rhode Island, it is important to know that you may still have legal options, even if the abuse happened long ago.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we offer free, confidential consultations where you can speak with our Rhode Island sexual abuse lawyers, ask questions, learn your rights, and explore your legal options in a private and supportive environment.
Our firm works exclusively with survivors of sexual abuse, giving us the experience and understanding needed to handle these sensitive cases with care. We understand the unique challenges survivors face and provide legal strategies tailored to these cases.
The following is what sets us apart from other firms:
We are committed to creating a supportive environment where survivors feel heard and respected. In client testimonials, abuse survivors describe how we’ve helped them.
Clergy sexual abuse occurs when a priest, pastor, deacon, youth minister, or other religious leader exploits their position of trust or authority to engage in sexual misconduct, exploitation, or grooming. These individuals often hold positions of influence that can be used to manipulate, control, or take advantage of others.
This abuse happens to both children and adults, and it is not always easy to recognize at the time. Because religious leaders are often trusted members of their communities, survivors may not recognize the abuse right away. Some do not fully understand what happened until years later because the abuser manipulated their trust or used religion to blur personal boundaries.
Rhode Island’s statute of limitations depends on whether the survivor was abused as a child or an adult. In 2026, lawmakers enacted a temporary revival window that allows certain survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits even if the original deadline has expired.
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse generally must file suit before they turn 53—or 35 years after turning 18—or within seven years from when they discovered or reasonably should have discovered that the harm was caused by abuse. However, the recently enacted Child Sexual Abuse Window, which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, allows eligible survivors to pursue previously time-barred claims.
Survivors abused as adults generally have three years from the date of the abuse to file suit.
Because Rhode Island’s laws have recently changed, determining whether you can still pursue a case may be complicated. An attorney can help determine whether a deadline, exception, or revival provision applies to your case.
The Catholic Church has one of the most well-documented records of clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island and across the United States. In 2026, the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General released an investigative report identifying 72 clergy members in the Diocese of Providence who were found to have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct.
However, sexual abuse by religious leaders is not limited to one faith or denomination. Abuse can occur in any religious setting where a person of influence or authority has unsupervised or trusted access to congregants, children, or vulnerable individuals.
In addition to the Roman Catholic Church, this may include the following:
Both the individual abuser and the religious institution may be held liable in a clergy sexual abuse case. Although the clergy member is responsible for the abuse, religious organizations also may be legally responsible if their actions or inaction enabled the abuse or allowed it to continue.
Institutions may be liable for failing to investigate complaints, ignoring warning signs, inadequately supervising clergy members, retaining individuals despite histories of misconduct, transferring accused religious leaders to new positions where they continued to have access to potential victims, or covering up the abuse.
Proving institutional liability often requires a thorough investigation into what the organization knew, when it knew it, and how it responded. Our firm has the resources and experience to conduct these investigations and identify all potentially liable parties. Whether the institution is a local church or a large religious organization, our attorneys are prepared to help survivors seek justice and compensation.
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse may be able to recover compensation for the losses they have experienced because of the abuse, such as:
The amount of compensation a survivor may recover depends on factors such as the nature and severity of the abuse, the impacts of the victim’s life, and the actions of both the individual abuser and the religious institution.
We approach each sexual abuse case with care, thorough preparation, and a focus on accountability at every stage of the process. Our services include the following:
“I had a very positive experience working with this firm. From the beginning, their team treated me with kindness, respect, and professionalism. They guided me through every step of the process, helped me understand what to expect, and made a very difficult and emotional situation much easier to navigate. I truly appreciate their patience, communication, and the care they showed while handling my case. They made sure my voice was heard and helped me move forward toward justice and closure. I am very grateful for everything they did for me, and I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs legal help and wants a team that genuinely cares about their clients.”
“Genuinely the best law firm out here, I’ve never felt so heard and understood in my life till I came across ANDREOZZI + FOOTE. They keep you updated, they email, text, and call you to update you and keep you informed, their paralegal as well is amazing!! These people have genuinely changed my perspective in life in so many ways, I 100000% recommend them! YES THIS IS A REAL REVIEW !!❤️❤️❤️❤️”
“Absolutely wonderful, highly recommend for anyone who has been a survivor of trauma. The team listened, asked questions, and also answered all the questions I had. I honestly can’t thank them enough. Most lawyers, you think they don’t care, but this team does.”
Not remembering every detail of the abuse does not mean you cannot pursue a legal claim. Survivors may remember certain events, people, or circumstances, while other details remain unclear, especially after traumatic experiences. A sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand what information may be important and evaluate your case based on the details you do remember.
It is common for survivors to wait years before speaking about or reporting abuse. Even if decades have passed, you may still have legal options. Our sexual abuse lawyers can review the circumstances of your case and help you determine which deadline applies.
While there is no guarantee of total anonymity, you may be able to protect your identity from the public record by filing under a pseudonym or your initials, depending on the circumstances. Courts often recognize the sensitive nature of these claims and may allow privacy measures. A lawyer can explain what confidentiality protections may apply in your situation.
Hiring a clergy sexual abuse lawyer typically does not require any upfront payment. At Andreozzi + Foote, we work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you recover compensation. Our firm also offers free, confidential consultations so you can understand your legal options without any financial pressure.
Even when clergy sexual abuse occurred years or decades ago, survivors may still have legal options. At Andreozzi + Foote, our Rhode Island clergy sexual abuse lawyers can help you understand whether recent law changes may apply to your claim and what steps you may be able to take moving forward.
Contact us online or call (866) 311-8640 today for a free, in-depth consultation.
