Video: RI Clergy Sexual Abuse Diocese of Providence: What Survivors Need to Know
August 25, 2026
Transcript
The Rhode Island Attorney General has now put decades of clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence into the public record. And for survivors who have lived with this in silence, this may be the time for your voice to finally be heard.
I’m Attorney Tracy Paulsen, founder of Rightful Legal, and we help victims of sexual abuse get the justice they deserve.
2026 Diocese of Providence Clergy Abuse Investigation
In March of 2026, the Rhode Island Attorney General released a comprehensive report following a years-long investigation into child sexual abuse involving clergy in the Diocese of Providence.
Investigators reviewed more than 250,000 pages of records dating back to 1950 and identified more than 300 documented victims who reported allegations involving 75 clergy members.
How the Diocese of Providence Handled Abuse Allegations
The report also examines how abuse allegations were handled by the Diocese over decades. These included failures in reporting, supervision, recordkeeping, and transparency about the abuse that occurred.
What Rhode Island Clergy Abuse Survivors Need to Know
If you were victimized by a priest, deacon, or other clergy member, I want you to understand something very important. You deserve to be heard. You deserve the opportunity to seek accountability and justice for what happened to you.
For many survivors, speaking out about what happened can take years or even decades. The passage of time does not make what happened to you any less real or any less important.
And you should not automatically assume that too much time has passed to explore your legal rights.
Can Survivors Still Pursue Legal Rights?
Whether a civil claim can still be brought depends on the specific facts of your story, the identity of the person and institution involved, Rhode Island law, and the current situation before us.
This is your time for your voice to be heard.
If you believe you may have a clergy abuse case in Rhode Island, Rightful Legal can help you understand your options and determine what legal remedies may be available.
Understanding the 2026 Rhode Island Attorney General Report
If you want to read the Attorney General’s report yourself, you can do so by looking it up online.
It’s called the Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Providence. This includes the full report, its appendices, information about credibly accused clergy, and resources for survivors of this sexual abuse.
Understanding Your Legal Options
You do not have to let an institution decide whether your story matters. You have the right to ask legal questions, understand your options, decide what justice means for you, and pursue a claim if you choose to do so.
If you have questions about your potential case or your rights, you can reach me directly at 617-821-5856.
Free Confidential Consultation
Everything is confidential. You can reach out to me to schedule a free confidential consultation. We are here to help you. Thank you so much.


