Here Is What Is Happening In Rhode Island
Civil Statute of Limitations
Discovery Rule: Yes (but not against non-perpetrators)
Limitations Period: 3-7 years
Tolling:  Yes
  • 7-year Statute of Limitations for Suits against Perpetrators Based on Sexual Abuse : Claims based upon intentional conduct, i.e. against a perpetrator, must be brought within 7 years of the act of abuse, or 7 years from when the victim discovered or reasonably should have discovered that his/her injuries were caused by the sexual abuse.
    R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-51(a)(2008).
     
  • 3-year Statute of Limitations for Non-Perpetrators : Claims against non-perpetrators must be brought under the general tort statute of limitations. Suits must be filed within 3 years of the acts constituting negligence. R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) (2008).
     
  • Discovery Rule : Statutorily defined as against perpetrators (see above). Under Rhode Island law, discovery rule does not extend to claims against non-perpetrator defendants for damages arising from childhood sexual abuse and are governed by the general 3-year statute of limitations for personal injuries. See Ryan v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence, 941 A.2d 174 (R.I., 2008).
     
Criminal Statute of Limitations
Limitations Period: None for first-degree Sexual assault, first-degree and second-degree Child molestation
3 years after offense for other offenses
Tolling: No
Exceptions No
  • No Limit for Criminal Acts of Sexual Assault in the First-Degree or Child Molestation in the First or Second Degree : No limit for first-degree sexual assault (§ 11-37-2), first-degree child molestation sexual assault (§ 11-37-8.1), second-degree child molestation sexual assault (§ 11-37-8.3) R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-17(a).

  • For any other criminal offense: Within 3 years after commission of the offense, for any other criminal offense. R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-12-17(c) (2008).
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