RHODE ISLAND SCHOOLS SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS 

Fighting for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island Schools

Rhode Island schools and institutions allegedly failed to protect students from sexual abuse, with allegations spanning decades across multiple facilities statewide. 

Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that students and patients in Rhode Island schools and facilities were sexually abused while in the care of staff.

Multiple Rhode Island schools and institutions have faced lawsuits and investigations alleging that staff sexually abused students and patients over several decades, with allegations spanning from the 1950s through the 2020s. The cases involve prominent facilities across the state, with administrators in many instances allegedly having been aware of misconduct but failing to report it to authorities or take meaningful disciplinary action. Settlements and criminal charges across the various cases have spanned tens of millions of dollars, with investigations and litigation ongoing.

If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.

History of Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island Schools

Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:

St. George’s School

• In September 2016, an independent investigation found that at least 61 students had been sexually abused at the facility, with at least 51 abused by employees and at least 10 by fellow students. The report named six faculty members found guilty of sexual abuse, with a single athletic trainer and coach, Al Gibbs, accounting for more than half of the confirmed victims — at least 31. 

Gibbs allegedly engaged in a range of sexual misconduct with students from 1973 until his dismissal in 1980, including taking nude photos of students, fondling and groping their breasts and genitals, and in one case rape. A second unnamed perpetrator allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with at least three students, including providing alcohol, watching pornography with students, inappropriately touching them, and arranging nude encounters with students.

The investigation found the school had fired abusers but failed to report them to law enforcement, misled parents about the reasons for staff dismissals, and in some cases provided job references to abusers who went on to work at other schools.

• In August 2016, St. George's School in Rhode Island reportedly reached a settlement with up to 30 former students who alleged they were sexually abused at the elite prep school during the 1970s and 1980s.

• In January 2016, it was announced that at least 40 individuals had made credible claims of sexual assault against seven former staff members and several students at St. George's School. Three former students came forward publicly, alleging repeated rape by a faculty member, rape by a fellow student, and being photographed naked without consent. The Rhode Island State Police announced it was investigating the allegations.

In December 2015, St. George's School admitted that at least 23 students were molested by multiple faculty and staff, and the school faced tens of million

Portsmouth Abbey School

• In December 2020, a former student filed a federal lawsuit against Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island and a former teacher, alleging the teacher sexually abused her between 2012 and 2014 starting when she was 15 years old. The lawsuit alleged the school failed to investigate and end the misconduct, engaged in a coverup, and took steps to prevent her from filing a timely lawsuit. The lawsuit allegedly prompted police to reopen their investigation.

• In August 2017, Portsmouth Abbey School released a report revealing decades of sexual abuse by faculty, with credible allegations against two former monks, Fr. Bede Gorman and Fr. Geoffrey Chase, spanning from 1959 through the early 1980s. Incidents were allegedly covered up and law enforcement was never notified.

Do I Have a Case?

You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:

• You were sexually abused by a teacher or staff at a school.
• The abuse occurred at any school.

Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold schools accountable for their failures to stop abusive teachers and staff.

As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.

Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims

In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Past medical and mental health expenses
• Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and psychological harm
• Lost income
• Other economic and non-economic damages

Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Attorneys