§ 9-1-51 - Limitation on actions based on sexual abuse or exploitation of a child. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 9-1-51

   § 9-1-51  Limitation on actions based onsexual abuse or exploitation of a child. – (a) All claims or causes of action based on intentional conduct brought by anyperson for recovery of damages for injury suffered as a result of childhoodsexual abuse shall be commenced within seven (7) years of the act alleged tohave caused the injury or condition, or seven (7) years of the time the victimdiscovered or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or conditionwas caused by the act, whichever period expires later.

   (b) The victim need not establish which act in a series ofcontinuing sexual abuse or exploitation incidents cause the injury complainedof, but may compute the date of discovery from the date of the last act by thesame perpetrator which is part of a common scheme or plan of sexual abuse orexploitation.

   (c) The knowledge of a custodial parent or guardian shall notbe imputed to a person under the age of eighteen (18) years.

   (d) For purposes of this section, "child" means a personunder the age of eighteen (18) years.

   (e) As used in this section, "childhood sexual abuse" meansany act committed by the defendant against a complainant who was less thaneighteen (18) years of age at the time of the act and which act would have beena criminal violation of chapter 37 of title 11.