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Video: Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Clergy Cases Reopened: Attorney Explains the New Law
July 24, 2026
Transcript
Rhode Island Childhood Sexual Abuse Claims and the 2026 Revival Window
If you were sexually abused as a child by a priest, clergy member, religious teacher, church employee, or another adult connected to a religious organization in Rhode Island, you may now have a new opportunity for justice, accountability, and compensation. I’m Attorney Tracy Paulsen, founder of Rightful Legal.
Rhode Island’s 2026 Revival Window
Rhode Island opened a two-year revival window on July 1, 2026, for certain childhood sexual abuse claims that were previously barred by the statute of limitations.
What the New Law Means
This means you may still be able to bring a claim even if the abuse happened decades ago, you never reported it at the time, or you were previously told that too much time had passed.
Your claim may involve the person who committed the abuse.
Claims Against Institutions
Your claim may also involve a church, religious order, school, youth program, or another institution that ignored warning signs, concealed complaints, failed to report suspected abuse, transferred an accused individual, or allowed that person to remain around children.
What Compensation May Be Available
A civil claim may provide an opportunity to seek accountability and financial compensation for the lasting effects of the abuse, including emotional trauma, treatment expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and damage to personal relationships.
How an Attorney Can Help
You do not need to have every document or remember every date or single detail before you call me.
I can listen to what happened, evaluate whether the Rhode Island revival window may apply to your situation, identify potentially responsible individuals and institutions, review the evidence, and help investigate what the organization knew and when it knew it.
Why You Should Not Assume It Is Too Late
If you were previously told that your claim was too old, do not assume that answer is still correct.
This legal window is limited, but you may now have an opportunity to have your voice heard and justice served. You were a victim, and now you can stand up against the abusers.
Confidential Consultation
If you believe you may have a case and you were abused in Rhode Island, please call me directly at 617-821-5856.
I’m here to listen with compassion and total confidentiality and to help you understand your rights. Thank you so much.
