In a landmark vote, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved a bill aimed at providing survivors of childhood sexual abuse with a vital opportunity to seek justice. The legislation, passed with a 67 to 5 vote along party lines, paves the way for survivors to file lawsuits against individuals and institutions that failed to protect them, even if the statute of limitations has expired. This decision represents a significant shift in how the state approaches cases of abuse, especially those involving powerful institutions like the Catholic Church.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Carol McEntee, would establish a two-year “revival window,” allowing victims to pursue legal action against perpetrators and institutions that concealed or enabled the abuse. This change would apply retroactively, enabling survivors to file lawsuits even for cases where the statute of limitations had already run out. The bill aims to hold accountable those who failed to prevent or addressed sexual abuse, including religious leaders, educators, and other powerful figures.
A Long-Awaited Victory for Survivors
For many victims of childhood sexual abuse, this bill is a long-awaited victory. Rep. Carol McEntee, who has been an advocate for abuse survivors, expressed her relief and optimism after the vote. Her sister, Ann Webb, was one of the first to publicly share her experience of being sexually abused by a priest during her childhood at the Sacred Heart School in West Warwick.
Webb, along with other survivors like prominent physician Herbert “Hub” Brennan, has been at the forefront of pushing for changes to Rhode Island’s laws to hold institutions accountable for covering up abuse. Brennan, who was repeatedly molested by the Rev. Brendan Smyth, a visiting priest, shared his hope that the new legislation would finally give victims a fighting chance to expose offenders and prevent future abuse.
“Even if made into law, I know it will still be an uphill battle for many of us,” Webb said after the vote. “But I am confident this law will help us expose predators and protect children.”
Opposition and Concerns
Despite the bill’s overwhelming support in the House, the legislation faces a tough road ahead in the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. The bill has garnered significant opposition, particularly from the Catholic Church. Rev. Bernard Healey, director of the Rhode Island Catholic Conference, spoke out against the bill, warning that it would be difficult for institutions to defend themselves against lawsuits that span several decades. He argued that over time, evidence may be lost, witnesses may have passed away, and memories may become unreliable, making it nearly impossible to mount an effective defense.
While the church acknowledged its responsibility for past abuses, Healey emphasized the challenges posed by the passage of time in legal cases of this nature.
What the Bill Would Do
The proposed legislation (H5909) would allow victims to file lawsuits against individuals or institutions whose actions contributed to the abuse. This includes negligence in hiring, training, supervising, or monitoring employees, as well as cases where institutions failed to report or concealed instances of sexual abuse. The two-year revival window would enable survivors to file lawsuits for incidents that occurred as far back as several decades ago, extending the deadline for legal action until June 30, 2027.
This bill marks a shift in how Rhode Island addresses institutional accountability. Prior laws did not allow lawsuits against institutions once the statute of limitations had passed, even if it could be proven that the institutions were complicit in the abuse.
Rep. McEntee emphasized the emotional and psychological barriers survivors face when deciding to come forward. Many victims may be too traumatized or afraid to report the abuse while it is happening, and by the time they are ready to take legal action, the statute of limitations often prevents them from pursuing justice. The bill’s two-year revival window offers these survivors an invaluable opportunity to seek redress and demand accountability.
A Setback in 2023 and the Need for Change
The push for this new legislation comes after a setback in 2023, when the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled that the state’s 2019 law extending the statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits only applied to perpetrators. The court’s decision effectively shut down lawsuits against diocesan leaders accused of covering up the abuse. This ruling underscored the need for additional legislative action to allow victims to hold institutions accountable.
The new bill would remedy this gap by allowing lawsuits against those who were not directly involved in the abuse but who failed to act in ways that could have prevented it. By explicitly allowing these types of suits, the bill provides an opportunity for justice that was previously unavailable.
What’s Next?
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it faces significant opposition from both the Catholic Church and others concerned about the potential legal and financial ramifications of retroactive lawsuits. The Senate is currently reviewing the concerns raised during committee hearings and may amend the bill before it is put to a final vote.
While the outcome in the Senate remains uncertain, the passing of the bill in the House represents a crucial step toward bringing justice to childhood sexual abuse survivors in Rhode Island. Survivors, lawmakers, and advocates are hopeful that the Senate will recognize the importance of this legislation and pass it into law.
How This Bill Impacts Survivors
For survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the passage of this bill represents a chance to finally seek accountability from the institutions and individuals who allowed their abuse to happen or concealed it. It offers a pathway to healing by acknowledging the pain that survivors have lived with for years or even decades.
At Helping Survivors, we understand how difficult and personal this journey is. If you or someone you know has been affected by childhood sexual abuse, we are here to provide the support and legal resources you need to navigate this complex process. We can connect you to experienced attorneys who specialize in cases of sexual abuse and help you understand your rights.
If you are ready to take the next step in your healing and justice journey, reach out to Helping Survivors for trusted legal assistance. We are here to support you.
