June 16, 2026 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A major change to Rhode Island sexual abuse law is expected to become official next week, creating new opportunities for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice against institutions that allegedly enabled, concealed, or failed to prevent abuse. The Rhode Island General Assembly is poised to approve legislation establishing a two-year “revival window” for […]
Read more
Rhode Island Attorney General Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Report Reveals Widespread Abuse and Cover-Ups
June 20, 2026 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A newly released report from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office has shed light on decades of child sexual abuse within the Diocese of Providence, documenting a pattern of abuse and institutional failures that spanned more than 70 years. The comprehensive investigation, which began in 2019, examined over 250,000 pages of church records and included […]
Read more
New Legislation in Rhode Island Opens Path to Justice for Survivors
June 16, 2026 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A major change to Rhode Island sexual abuse law is expected to become official next week, creating new opportunities for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice against institutions that allegedly enabled, concealed, or failed to prevent abuse. The Rhode Island General Assembly is poised to approve legislation establishing a two-year “revival window” for […]
Read more
Providence Diocese Accused of Victim Blaming in Lawsuit
June 2, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A recently filed lawsuit by a clergy sexual abuse survivor accuses the leaders of the Rhode Island Catholic Church of “victim blaming” and ignoring multiple allegations of sexual abuse of children by clergy.
Read more
Rhode Island Bill Seeks to Expand Perpetrator Definition Under Annie’s Law
March 10, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Rhode Island is reviewing a new bill to expand the current law’s definition of “perpetrator”, The bill is in response to state court rulings which, victims’ advocates say, have narrowed the meaning of the term “perpetrator” and has precluded victims of clergy sexual abuse from including a church or diocese in a lawsuit.
Read more
Rhode Island’s Attorney General Defends Updated Sex Abuse Law
July 10, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
Rhode Island’s Attorney General, Peter Neronha, and his office are entering the legal arena on a civil case between three men, Philip Edwardo, Peter Cummings and Robert Houllahan, who are claiming they were sexually abused by priests within the Diocese of Providence.
Read more
Diocese of Providence Challenges Rhode Island’s New Sexual Abuse Law
July 6, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In May of 2019 The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to extend the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse. Jim Scanlan, who is a sexual abuse survivor, noted “This was about protecting future generations of kids, as well as enabling survivors who haven’t come forward or are trying to come forward to have a voice.”
Read more
Providence Diocese Lists Priests Accused of Sexually Abusing Children
July 15, 2019 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, RI has recently released the names of 50 priests and deacons who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children dating back to 1950. In the posting on their website, the diocese indicates that 19 of the 50 names are priests and deacons that are still alive, but nearly all of the accused have been removed from ministry.
Read more