Rhode Island Residential Treatment Facility Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Childhood sexual abuse can have devastating, lifelong effects on survivors. If you or a loved one was the victim of sexual abuse or misconduct as a minor at a Rhode Island residential treatment facility, you may be able to hold the institution accountable for failing to protect you.
Rhode Island’s newly enacted childhood sexual abuse lookback window has enabled countless survivors to come forward and pursue legal action against the people and institutions that harmed them. Lawsuits have already been filed regarding alleged abuse at juvenile detention centers, Catholic churches, schools, and more. Even if the abuse you endured occurred years or decades ago, it’s not too late to seek justice. At Helping Survivors, we can connect you with our legal partners for a free case review.
Do I Have A Case?
In residential treatment facilities, already vulnerable patients must rely completely on their caregivers, making them prime targets for sexual abuse by predators. Residential care facilities are responsible for providing safe environments for their residents, but they often fail to fulfill their duties.
If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse at a Rhode Island residential treatment facility, you may be able to hold the institution accountable for failing to prevent or adequately respond to abuse.
A range of conduct may constitute residential treatment facility sex abuse, including:
- Sexual assault and abuse, such as rape, sodomy, fondling, and forced kissing
- Sexual exploitation
- Sexual harassment
- Exposure
- Taking and distributing sexual pictures or videos
- Exchanging sex for privileges or demanding sex to maintain them
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Speak with a Rhode Island Sex Abuse Attorney Today
Even with Rhode Island’s new two-year lookback window for child sexual abuse lawsuits, acting quickly is important to taking legal action. Your attorney will need ample time to evaluate your case, investigate, gather evidence, and prepare the necessary court paperwork.
At Helping Survivors, our mission is to help heal, educate, and empower people who have been impacted by sexual assault and abuse. We inform survivors of their rights, provide educational resources, and connect them with our partner law firms for legal representation. Our legal partners file civil lawsuits on behalf of survivors against the individuals, institutions, and organizations that perpetrated and enabled abuse. Get legal help today.
Meet The Milberg Team
Marc Grossman
Senior Partner, Milberg PLLC
30+ years of complex litigation experience. Marc is recognized by Lawdragon 500 as one of America’s leading litigators. He’s committed to institutional accountability and survivor support.
Melinda Maxson
Senior Counsel, Milberg PLLC
20+ years representing survivors. Melinda has been involved in landmark cases exposing systemic failures in institutions, including her work on the T.T. v. Roblox case. She believes survivors deserve every legal avenue to seek accountability.
Allegations Against Residential Facilities in Rhode Island
Several types of residential facilities serving minors in Rhode Island have faced accusations of sexual and physical abuse by staff and others, including psychiatric treatment centers, foster homes, and more. Some facilities have also been accused of improperly reporting incidents of abuse or not reporting them at all.
St. Mary’s Home For Children
St. Mary’s Home for Children is the only residential psychiatric treatment center for children in Rhode Island. A 2023 investigation by the state’s Office of the Child Advocate found “significant safety concerns and abusive living conditions” at the facility, including physical and sexual assaults. In addition, staff members reported being admonished for raising concerns with the administration.
In 2022, a woman filed a lawsuit against St. Mary’s after her daughter allegedly ran away from the facility multiple times and was sexually assaulted twice in its care. The suit alleged that the facility was understaffed and that staff lacked adequate training or supervision.
Boys Town - Rhode Island
Boys Town, the Nebraska-based family-home-style foster care provider, has satellite residential programs for foster children in other states, including Rhode Island. Former Boys Town residents have alleged they suffered severe physical and sexual abuse while at Boys Town facilities, and at least one lawsuit has been filed.
St. Aloysius Home
The St. Aloysius Home, operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, was a residential facility for boys that closed in 1994 amid abuse allegations. In July 2026—just after Rhode Island’s new lookback window opened—one survivor filed a lawsuit against the diocese for alleged clergy abuse at the now-closed St. Aloysius Home. He alleges he was abused by multiple people, including the home’s former director, Rev. Robert J. McIntyre, in the 1980s.
Legal Rights & Options for Survivors
Rhode Island’s Sexual Assault Victims Bill of Rights gives survivors the right to obtain medical examinations, choose whether to report to law enforcement, consult with a victim advocate, recover victim compensation, and more.
Additionally, in June 2026, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed legislation expanding access to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The legislation created a two-year window for victims to bring otherwise time-barred claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up abuse. The two-year revival window is open until June 30, 2028.
Survivors of sexual abuse at residential treatment facilities may have the following options to pursue accountability and justice for the harm.
File a Civil Lawsuit
In a civil lawsuit, survivors can pursue compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial effects of the abuse. Recoverable damages may include medical expenses, therapy bills, lost income, reduced earning capacity and educational opportunities, paid and suffering, emotional distress, lost quality of life, and more.
Report Abuse to Oversight Agencies
You can report child sexual abuse in Rhode Island to the Department of Children, Youth & Families online or by calling 1-800-742-4453.
Report Abuse to Law Enforcement
You can also report the abuse to the local police. A report to law enforcement can spur a criminal investigation that may result in charges against the abuser.
If clergy members committed the abuse, the Rhode Island State Police has set up a dedicated clergy abuse reporting hotline at 401-764-0142.
Experience That Delivers Results
Over $50 Billion Recovered
Milberg has recovered more than $50 billion clients over nearly 60 years, holding institutions accountable across complex, high-stakes cases. That track record of institutional accountability now extends to survivors of sexual abuse in detention centers, prisons, healthcare settings, and other facilities.
Institutional Abuse Specialists
Milberg’s Sexual Abuse Practice Group, led by Senior Partner Marc Grossman (30+ years experience, Lawdragon 500 recognized) brings expertise in facility-based abuse, systemic failures, and corporate neglect.
Trial-Ready Attorneys
Milberg’s attorneys aren’t afraid to take cases to trial. While many firms settle early, Milberg’s team of experienced trial lawyers is prepared to pursue your claim all the way through litigation if a fair settlement isn’t reached.
Comprehensive Resource Access
Milberg maintains coast-to-coast offices, partnerships with access to expert investigators, medical professionals, and specialized consultants—all committed to building the strongest possible case for you.
Contingency Representation
You never pay out of pocket. We work entirely on a contingency basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we recover compensation. Your financial burden never stands between you and justice.
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