Rhode Island - Feeney Law Firm https://feeneylawfirm.com/tag/rhode-island/ Quincy MA Lawyer handling personal injury claims and lawsuits nationwide Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:03:33 +0000 en hourly 1 Decades Later, Portsmouth Abbey Sexual Abuse Survivors May Have a Renewed Path to Justice https://feeneylawfirm.com/decades-later-portsmouth-abbey-sexual-abuse-survivors-may-have-a-renewed-path-to-justice/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:03:33 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=7075 For survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the passage of time does not necessarily bring an end to the harm. Memories can remain buried for decades. Shame, fear and the power held by trusted institutions can make coming forward extraordinarily difficult. And for many survivors, by the time they were emotionally prepared to speak about what […]

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]]> More Sexual Abuse Survivors Come Forward as Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Lawsuits Continue to Reveal Decades of Harm https://feeneylawfirm.com/more-sexual-abuse-survivors-come-forward-as-rhode-island-clergy-abuse-lawsuits-continue-to-reveal-decades-of-harm/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:26:23 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=7065 More Rhode Island survivors are stepping forward to tell stories they say they have carried in silence for decades. In recent days, seven men have filed lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, alleging they were sexually abused as children by clergy members entrusted with their care. Their cases are part of a growing […]

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]]> 34 Lawsuits Filed Against Rhode Island Catholic Church as Survivors Finally Gain a Path to Justice https://feeneylawfirm.com/34-lawsuits-filed-against-rhode-island-catholic-church-as-survivors-finally-gain-a-path-to-justice/ Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:00:35 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=7058 For many survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Rhode Island, July 1 marked more than the beginning of a new month—it marked the first opportunity in decades to pursue accountability in court. On the first day a new state law took effect, 34 lawsuits were filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence and affiliated […]

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]]> New Legislation in Rhode Island Opens Path to Justice for Survivors https://feeneylawfirm.com/new-legislation-in-rhode-island-opens-path-to-justice-for-survivors/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:28:54 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=7009 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 […]

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]]> Providence Diocese Accused of Victim Blaming in Lawsuit https://feeneylawfirm.com/providence-diocese-accused-of-victim-blaming-in-lawsuit/ Thu, 02 Jun 2022 14:41:31 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=6480 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.

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]]> Former Student Files Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Portsmouth Abbey School and Former Teacher https://feeneylawfirm.com/former-student-files-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-against-portsmouth-abbey-school-and-former-teacher/ Fri, 09 Apr 2021 21:08:22 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=5408 In late 2020, a former student at the Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming her former school teacher sexually abused her when she was a student and the school “failed to take any measures to investigate and put an end to the misconduct and protect its young student.”

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]]> Rhode Island Bill Seeks to Expand Perpetrator Definition Under Annie’s Law https://feeneylawfirm.com/rhode-island-bill-seeks-to-expand-perpetrator-definition-under-annies-law/ Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:09:32 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=5258 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.

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]]> Rhode Island Passes Law Helping Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors https://feeneylawfirm.com/rhode-island-passes-law-helping-childhood-sexual-abuse-survivors/ Mon, 21 Sep 2020 14:09:24 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=4767 On August 9, 2019, Governor Gina M. Raimondo held a ceremony, signing into law a new childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations reform. The reform gives victims of childhood sexual abuse a major victory, which will allow more survivors, particularly those who are older, the ability to hold their abusers accountable for their actions.

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]]> Rhode Island’s Attorney General Defends Updated Sex Abuse Law https://feeneylawfirm.com/rhode-islands-attorney-general-defends-updated-sex-abuse-law/ Fri, 10 Jul 2020 17:20:23 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=4625 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.

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]]> Diocese of Providence Challenges Rhode Island’s New Sexual Abuse Law https://feeneylawfirm.com/diocese-of-providence-challenges-rhode-islands-new-sexual-abuse-law/ Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:51:28 +0000 https://feeneylawfirm.com/?p=4615 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.”

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