Sexual abuse survivors in East Greenwich, Rhode Island have legal rights, and those rights just got stronger. If you were abused as a child in East Greenwich, whether at a church, school, or by any trusted adult in a position of authority, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit right now, even if you believed your time had run out. Sommers Schwartz represents survivors across Rhode Island, and our attorneys are ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your options with no pressure and no judgment.

Table of Contents

• What an East Greenwich Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Do for You
• Sexual Abuse at Our Lady of Mercy and the Diocese of Providence in East Greenwich
• Rhode Island’s 2026 Child Sexual Abuse Law Opens a Two-Year Window for Survivors
• Understanding Rhode Island’s Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51
• Who Can Be Held Accountable in an East Greenwich Sexual Abuse Civil Lawsuit
• Why Survivors Choose Sommers Schwartz for East Greenwich Sexual Abuse Claims
• FAQs About East Greenwich Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Rhode Island

What an East Greenwich Sexual Abuse Lawyer Can Do for You

A civil sexual abuse claim is separate from a criminal case. You do not need a criminal conviction to file a lawsuit. As a sexual assault lawyer representing survivors in East Greenwich and across Rhode Island, Sommers Schwartz pursues civil claims that seek financial compensation directly from the people and institutions responsible for your harm.

Civil claims can be brought against the individual who abused you, and also against the organization or institution that employed, supervised, or protected that person. Under Rhode Island law, negligent supervision, negligent hiring, and the concealment of known abuse are all legally actionable wrongs. That means a church, school, youth program, or healthcare facility can be held responsible for its own role in allowing abuse to happen.

Many survivors carry the weight of what happened to them for years, sometimes decades, before they are ready to talk about it. That is not a weakness. It is a recognized response to trauma. Delayed disclosure is common in childhood sexual abuse cases, and Rhode Island law accounts for this reality. Your attorney’s job is to build a case on your behalf, gather evidence, identify all responsible parties, and pursue every avenue of accountability, so you do not have to do it alone.

Reaching out to an attorney does not commit you to anything. It simply gives you information. You deserve to know where you stand legally before deciding anything else.

Sexual Abuse at Our Lady of Mercy and the Diocese of Providence in East Greenwich

East Greenwich has its own documented history of clergy sexual abuse. Dr. Herbert “Hub” Brennan, an internal medicine doctor who lives and works in East Greenwich, has spoken publicly about being sexually abused in elementary school by Rev. Brendan Smyth, an Irish priest who arrived in the community in the 1960s, while he was an altar server at Our Lady of Mercy Parish.

According to published accounts, at least seven families living in the Dalehill Drive subdivision had loved ones who were sexually harmed by Smyth while he served at Our Lady of Mercy. Smyth was ultimately convicted of 141 cases of sexual assault in 1994 in Ireland and died in an Irish prison in 1997. For decades, survivors in East Greenwich carried this alone.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s March 2026 report accused the Catholic Diocese of Providence of a “well-worn pattern” of failing to remove dozens of priests accused of child sexual abuse, and identified 75 clergy members who sexually abused more than 300 children since 1950. East Greenwich survivors are part of that larger story. The abuse at Our Lady of Mercy was not an isolated incident. It was part of a pattern that the Diocese knew about and failed to stop.

If you were abused at Our Lady of Mercy, at another East Greenwich institution, or by any clergy member connected to the Diocese of Providence, you are not alone. What happened to you was not your fault. And you may now have a legal path forward that did not exist before.

Rhode Island’s 2026 Child Sexual Abuse Law Opens a Two-Year Window for Survivors

On June 11, 2026, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed legislation giving survivors of childhood sexual abuse a new opportunity to pursue civil claims that would otherwise be permanently closed. This law, passed as H-7200A and S-2616A, is a direct response to the failures exposed in the Attorney General’s report and years of advocacy by survivors.

The new law establishes a two-year civil revival window that runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028, during which survivors can file civil suits even if the statute of limitations on their claims had previously expired. This is a real and limited deadline. Once June 30, 2028 arrives, the window closes permanently for time-barred claims.

The most important change this law makes is who can be sued. Before this law, the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Houllahan v. Gelineau confirmed that the prior 2019 statute (known as Annie’s Law) only revived claims against individual perpetrators, not the institutions and supervisors who enabled or concealed the abuse. This new law amends the statute of limitations for claims of sexual abuse of a child and creates a two-year window for survivors to bring otherwise time-barred claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up sexual abuse.

Under the text of H-7200A, a cause of action is revived where the claim involves sexual conduct or sexual contact with a child, including allegations of negligent supervision, negligent hiring, failure to report, or the concealment of sexual abuse by another person. This means a diocese, school, or youth organization that looked the other way can now be sued directly, even for conduct that occurred decades ago.

The new law specifically targets institutions and organizations such as churches, schools, youth programs, healthcare facilities, and sports leagues, as well as supervisors. If you were abused in any of these settings as a child in East Greenwich, this window may apply to you.

Understanding Rhode Island’s Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51

Rhode Island’s civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims is governed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51. Understanding how this statute works matters because it determines whether you can still file a lawsuit today.

For claims that are not time-barred, the current law gives survivors significant time. The statute of limitations begins running when the survivor turns 18, and future claims must be filed by whichever date is later: either 35 years from the date of the abusive act, or seven years from when the survivor first discovers or reasonably connects their adult injuries to the childhood abuse. This discovery rule is important. Many survivors do not connect their adult struggles, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, to childhood abuse until much later in life. The law recognizes that reality.

For survivors whose claims were already time-barred before July 1, 2026, the new revival window under H-7200A is the critical provision. It temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for those expired claims, but only through June 30, 2028. H-7200A also clarifies that the knowledge of a custodial parent or guardian cannot be imputed to a child victim, meaning that a parent’s awareness of abuse does not start the clock running against the child. The law defines “child” as a person under 18 years of age, and “sexual abuse” as any act against a person under 18 that would constitute a criminal violation of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 37 of Title 11, which covers Rhode Island’s sexual assault and child molestation statutes.

Working with a knowledgeable sexual assault attorney is the fastest way to understand exactly where your claim stands under this statute and whether the revival window applies to your situation.

Who Can Be Held Accountable in an East Greenwich Sexual Abuse Civil Lawsuit

Civil accountability in sexual abuse cases extends beyond the person who committed the abuse. Rhode Island law allows survivors to pursue claims against any party whose own negligence or wrongdoing contributed to the abuse occurring or continuing.

In East Greenwich, this can include the Diocese of Providence, individual parishes like Our Lady of Mercy, Catholic schools, private or parochial schools, youth organizations, sports leagues, healthcare facilities, and any other institution that had a supervisory relationship over the abuser. The legal theories used in these cases include negligent hiring (placing a known risk in contact with children), negligent supervision (failing to monitor or discipline a known abuser), and concealment (actively hiding complaints or reassigning offenders to avoid accountability).

The Attorney General’s 2026 report documented exactly this kind of institutional conduct within the Diocese of Providence. Accused priests were moved between parishes, complaints were not reported to law enforcement, and records were managed in ways that protected the institution rather than children. Under H-7200A, survivors can now bring these institutional accountability claims even if the underlying abuse happened decades ago.

Holding institutions accountable matters for a practical reason too. Individual abusers often have limited financial resources. It is typically the institutions behind them, dioceses, schools, and organizations, that have the financial capacity to provide meaningful compensation to survivors. The new law directly addresses this reality.

If you are unsure whether the institution connected to your abuse can be held liable, a sexual abuse lawyer at Sommers Schwartz can review the facts of your case and give you a straight answer.

Why Survivors Choose Sommers Schwartz for East Greenwich Sexual Abuse Claims

Sommers Schwartz is a multi-state law firm with attorneys who represent sexual abuse and sexual assault survivors in Rhode Island. We take these cases seriously, and we approach every client with the care and respect they deserve. You will never be made to feel blamed, doubted, or judged when you speak with us. What happened to you was not your fault, and we are here to help you hold the right people accountable.

Our attorneys understand both Rhode Island civil law and the specific institutional history connected to abuse in this state, including the Diocese of Providence, parochial and private schools, and other organizations that have faced credible allegations. We are prepared to pursue claims against perpetrators and the institutions that enabled them, using every legal tool available under H-7200A and R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51.

We also understand that coming forward is one of the hardest things a survivor can do. We handle these cases with discretion. Rhode Island allows survivors to file civil lawsuits anonymously as Jane Doe or John Doe plaintiffs, which means your identity can be protected from public disclosure while your case moves forward. If privacy is a concern for you, we will walk you through exactly how that works.

The revival window is open now, but it closes on June 30, 2028. Building a strong case takes time, and waiting reduces your options. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the more time there is to gather evidence, identify witnesses, and file your claim properly. Contact Sommers Schwartz today for a free, confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we recover for you.

FAQs About East Greenwich Sexual Abuse Lawyers in Rhode Island

Does Rhode Island’s new 2026 law apply to abuse that happened at Our Lady of Mercy or other East Greenwich institutions?

Yes. The 2026 law (H-7200A/S-2616A), signed by Governor Dan McKee on June 11, 2026 and effective July 1, 2026, revives previously time-barred civil claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or concealing childhood sexual abuse. This applies to churches, schools, youth programs, and other organizations in East Greenwich, including those connected to the Diocese of Providence. Claims that were previously blocked by the statute of limitations can now be filed through June 30, 2028.

What if I never reported the abuse to police? Can I still file a civil lawsuit?

Yes. A civil lawsuit is entirely separate from a criminal case. You do not need to have reported the abuse to law enforcement, and you do not need a criminal conviction or arrest to pursue a civil claim. Many survivors never reported their abuse for reasons that are completely understandable, including fear, shame, distrust, or not recognizing what happened as abuse until years later. None of that prevents you from filing a civil claim today.

How long do I have to file a claim under the 2026 Rhode Island revival window?

The revival window opened July 1, 2026 and closes June 30, 2028. If your claim was previously time-barred, you must file before that deadline or the window closes permanently. For claims that are not time-barred, R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51 gives survivors until the later of 35 years from the date of the abuse or seven years from when they discovered the connection between the abuse and their injuries, with the clock starting when the survivor turns 18.

Can I sue both the person who abused me and the institution that employed them?

Yes. Rhode Island law allows survivors to bring claims against individual abusers and against the institutions responsible for supervising, hiring, or monitoring them. H-7200A specifically revives time-barred claims that include allegations of negligent supervision, negligent hiring, failure to report, and concealment of sexual abuse. This means a diocese, school, or other organization can be held accountable for its own wrongful conduct, not just for the acts of the individual abuser.

Will I have to testify publicly or reveal my identity if I file a lawsuit?

Not necessarily. Rhode Island allows sexual abuse survivors to file civil lawsuits as anonymous Jane Doe or John Doe plaintiffs, which can protect your identity from public disclosure throughout the legal process. Your attorney can explain how this works in your specific case and what steps can be taken to protect your privacy. Sommers Schwartz handles all client information with strict confidentiality from the very first conversation.

More Resources About Rhode Island City Pages

• Providence Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Cranston Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Warwick Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Pawtucket Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Woonsocket Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• East Providence Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Newport Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Bristol Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Smithfield Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Lincoln Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• North Providence Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Westerly Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Middletown Sexual Abuse Lawyer
• Coventry Sexual Abuse Lawyer