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RHODE ISLAND SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS
Helping Rhode Island Sex Abuse Survivors File Civil Lawsuits
Rhode Island institutions allegedly failed to protect victims from sexual abuse by staff, with allegations spanning decades across schools, youth facilities, and the Catholic Church.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that survivors were sexually abused across Rhode Island schools, juvenile facilities, and religious institutions.
Rhode Island has seen widespread allegations of sexual abuse across multiple types of institutions, including elite private schools, behavioral health facilities, juvenile detention centers, and Catholic Church parishes and schools. Cases have involved staff-on-youth and youth-on-youth abuse, institutional coverups, and failures to report abusers to law enforcement, with settlements and criminal charges spanning tens of millions of dollars. Pending legislation in Rhode Island may eliminate the statute of limitations entirely for child sexual abuse claims, creating new opportunities for survivors to seek justice.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
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Pending Rhode Island Measures Could Eliminate Statute of Limitations in Child Sex Abuse Claims
While Rhode Island’s current sexual abuse laws are far from being the worst in the country, they have been sharply criticized for not going far enough – both in terms of the time limit they still place on child sex abuse survivors and how they make it exceedingly difficult to sue institutions such as the Catholic Church for enabling or covering up abuse.
A recent ruling handed down by the Rhode Island Supreme Court illustrates how:
- In July 2023, the Rhode Island Supreme Court upheld the dismissal of child sex abuse lawsuits brought against officials from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Providence who enabled and covered-up the sexual abuse of children by priests.
- In its ruling, the RI Supreme Court held that, while these survivors could maintain their claims against the abusive priests, they could not use the extended 35-year time limit to sue the Providence Archdiocese and officials who are considered “non-perpetrators.”
- The Court explained that although Archdiocese officials acted with “deplorable” conduct, they did not commit the abuse, or specifically aid or abet the abuse, and therefore were outside the scope of defendants who could be sued under the 35-year time-limit.
This decision was a blow to countless survivors with viable claims against institutions such as the Providence Archdiocese and gave an inexcusable pass to officials, supervisors, and other institutions whose outrageous misconduct directly led to preventable abuse.
If there is a silver lining to this, however, it is that there is now growing support for new legislation that better protects survivors and their ability to hold institutions accountable. One such measure (H 5510) currently working its way through the Rhode Island Legislature would repeal the statute of limitations entirely for claims against abusers and institutions, similar to a law passed in Maine. It would also apply retroactively, giving survivors abused at any time in the past the right to sue.
History of Rhode Island Clergy Sexual Abuse
- Levy Konigsberg has extensive experience litigating sexual abuse claims against Roman Catholic dioceses nationwide and is now actively investigating claims from survivors who were sexually abused at Catholic Churches, schools, and other Church-affiliated programs across Rhode Island.
- As sweeping investigations, public record releases, and legal filings have revealed, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has struggled for decades to reign in a rampant sexual abuse problem. What’s more, the damning record shows that church officials routinely engaged in actions to conceal complaints, cover up abuse, and enable predator priests.
For example:
- Between November 2020 and December 2023, several Rhode Island priests and clergy members were charged with or convicted of crimes involving child sexual abuse. These include former priests John Petrocelli, James Silva, Edward Kelley, James W. Jackson, and former deacon Kevin Fisette.
- In 2019, the Providence Diocese released a list of priests who had been credibly accused of child sexual abuse. The list included clergy members from parishes, schools, and other programs across the state accused of abuse dating back to 1950. As of 2024, the Diocese’s list contains over 55 priests and clergy, but likely undercounts the true scope of abuse.
- In March 2019, the Providence Diocese publicly acknowledged that it paid more than $21 million in its attempts to resolve over 130 clergy sex abuse claims involving priests and church members in parishes and church-run schools throughout the state.
- In September 2002, the Providence Diocese agreed to pay $13.5 million to 36 survivors who were sexually abused as minors by members of the Catholic Church. The claims involved allegations against 11 priests and a nun.
History of Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island Youth Facilities
Levy Konigsberg has earned national attention fighting on behalf of survivors who were sexually abused in juvenile detention facilities and youth housing and treatment programs nationwide.
Now, we’re working with a growing number of survivors who were sexually abused in Rhode Island juvenile residential centers. This includes the Rhode Island Training School, St. Mary’s Home for Children, and other facilities housing youth under the care of the state’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) that have been implicated by investigations and legal filings for failing to protect children from sexual abuse. For example:
St. Mary’s Home for Children
- In December 2023, a report from the Rhode Island Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) found widespread abuse and supervisory issues at St. Mary’s Home for Children, which provides residential and outpatient treatment for children with psychiatric problems and other traumas from five residential homes on its North Providence campus. The OCA report detailed instances of staff-on-youth assaults, physical and sexual abuse, a lack of supervision, criminal activity, and other conditions known to facilitate sexual abuse. Since the report was filed, St. Mary’s has continued to struggle with unsafe conditions, including its ongoing struggle with runaways. According to police logs, local law enforcement handled more than 220 reports of runaway children from St. Mary’s in just two years.
Bradley Hospital
- In July 2025, Jose Montanez, a former employee at Bradley Hospital in East Providence, Rhode Island, was arrested and charged with second-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault, and indecent solicitation of a child for allegedly sexually assaulting an underage patient at the behavioral health facility.
- In November 2020, Nikkilas Jones, former behavioral health specialist at Bradley Hospital was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault for allegedly sexually assaulting a juvenile patient at the facility on two separate occasions in late 2018.
History of Sexual Abuse in Rhode Island Schools
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.
St. Raphael Academy (Pawtucket)
- In March 2026, the Rhode Island Attorney General released a report identifying clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse who worked at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket.
- The Diocese of Providence released a list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse including individuals who served at St. Raphael Academy in Rhode Island, namely:
- Paul Charland
- Raphael Edes
- Francis Santilli
- Armand Ventre
- Robert W. Barnes
Edes allegedly sexually abused two male students between 1986 and 1990. He admitted to having sexual contact with one of the victims.
Charland, former guidance counselor and teacher at St. Raphael Academy, allegedly sexually abused a former student of St. Raphael’s Academy between 1980 and 1981.
Ventre sexually abused a 13-year-old former student of St. Raphael’s Academy in 1977.
Bishop Hendricken High School
- The Diocese of Providence released a list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse including individuals who served at Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island, namely:
- Joseph Rocha
- In 2018, a whistle-blower lawsuit was filed against Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island and the Diocese of Providence, alleging that they failed to investigate a teacher who allegedly used a classroom computer to solicit sexual encounters with younger men and male prostitutes.
- In December 2004, Timothy Sheldon, vice principal at Bishop Hendricken High School, was arrested and charged following allegations that he solicited an individual posing as a minor through an online chatroom.
- In January 1986, Br. John M. Walderman, former principal of Bishop Hendricken High School, was arrested after he allegedly attempted to solicit a 17-year-old boy for sex.
St. Joseph Schools
- The Diocese of Providence released a list of credibly accused of sexual abuse including individuals who served at St. Joseph School in Rhode Island, namely:
- Laurence Gagnon
- James Campbell
Gagnon was arrested in 2011 and sentenced to prison for molesting three students at the St. Joseph School between 2010 and 2011.
Campbell allegedly sexually abused a teenage boy multiple times between 1975 and 1976 at St. Joseph School. The diocese allegedly ignored the abuse.
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Attorneys
We Represent Survivors in All Types of Sex Abuse Claims
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.