{"id":376167,"date":"2016-04-11T01:23:53","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html"},"modified":"2022-12-09T06:38:59","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T11:38:59","slug":"rhode-island-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-rape-and-sexual-assault-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Rhode Island Rape and Sexual Assault Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Rhode Island Rape and Sexual Assault Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    <p><i>Created by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw&#8217;s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            December 09, 2022\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>In Rhode Island, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rape.html\">rape<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sexual-assault-overview.html\">s<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sexual-assault-overview.html\">exual assault<\/a> are both criminalized under the state&#8217;s sexual assault laws. These laws prohibited &quot;sexual penetration&quot; and &quot;sexual contact&quot; under specific circumstances. These acts are defined as follows:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><u>Sexual penetration<\/u>: Sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, and anal intercourse, or any intrusion by a person&#8217;s body (or any object) into the genital or anal openings or another person&#8217;s body, or into the victim&#8217;s own body upon the offender&#8217;s instruction.<\/li>\r\n<li><u>Sexual contact<\/u>: The intentional touching of the victim&#8217;s or the offender&#8217;s intimate parts (clothed or unclothed), if that touching can reasonably be construed as intended to be for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or assault.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>Code Section <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">Rhode Island Statutes <a href=\"http:\/\/webserver.rilin.state.ri.us\/Statutes\/TITLE11\/11-37\/11-37-2.HTM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">section 11-37-2<\/a>: <b>First Degree Sexual Assault<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>What&#8217;s Prohibited? <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">Engaging in sexual penetration with another person under any of the following circumstances:<ul>\r\n<li>The offender isn&#8217;t the victim&#8217;s spouse and knows (or has reason to know) that the victim is mentally incapacitated, mentally disabled, or physically helpless<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender uses force or coercion<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender overcomes the victim through concealment or by the element of surprise, or<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender engages in the medical treatment or examination of the victim for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or stimulation<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">Punishable by ten years to life in prison.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>Assault <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">If the offender commits assault with the intent to commit first-degree sexual assault, then the crime is punishable by three to 20 years in prison.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<h2>Duty to Report Sexual Assault<\/h2>\r\n<p>Any person, other than the victim, who knows (or has reason to know) that either first-degree sexual assault or attempted first-degree sexual assault is taking place must immediately notify the police. Failing to do so is a misdemeanor offense that is punished by imprisonment for up to one year, and\/or a fine of up to $500. However, any person who, in good faith, reports sexual assault according to this law will have immunity from any liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.<\/p>\r\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>Code Section <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">Rhode Island Statutes <a href=\"http:\/\/webserver.rilin.state.ri.us\/Statutes\/TITLE11\/11-37\/11-37-4.HTM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">section 11-37-4<\/a>: <b>Second Degree Sexual Assault<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>What&#8217;s Prohibited? <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">Engaging in sexual contact with another person under any of the following circumstances:<ul>\r\n<li>The offender knows (or has reason to know) that the victim is mentally incapacitated, mentally disabled, or physically helpless<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender uses force, the element of surprise, or coercion, or<\/li>\r\n<li>The offender engages in the medical treatment or examination of the victim for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or stimulation<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">Punishable by three to 15 years in prison.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"1\">\r\n<tbody><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>Code Section <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">Rhode Island Statutes <a href=\"http:\/\/webserver.rilin.state.ri.us\/Statutes\/TITLE11\/11-37\/11-37-6.HTM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">section 11-37-6<\/a>: <b>Third Degree Sexual Assault (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/statutory-rape.html\">Statutory Rape<\/a>)<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>What&#8217;s Prohibited? <\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">An offender who is over the age of 18 engaging in sexual penetration with a person who is over the age of 14 and is under age 16 (which is the age of consent in Rhode Island).<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td style=\"width: 109.0px;\"><p><b>Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 481.0px;\">Punishable by up to five years in prison.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<h2>Child Molestation Sexual Assault<\/h2>\r\n<p>In Rhode Island, there are additional statutes that criminalize the rape and sexual assault of children. An offender is guilty of first-degree child molestation sexual assault if he or she engages in sexual penetration with a child who is less than 14 years old. This offense is punishable by imprisonment for 25 years to life. Additionally, a person who engages in sexual contact with a child who is less than 14 years old commits second-degree child molestation sexual assault and can be imprisoned for six to 30 years. A person over the age of 18 in a position of authority who engages in sexual contact with someone between 14 and 18 and is guilty of third-degree sexual assault and shall be imprisoned for not more than five years.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>Additional Resources<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/criminal-laws\/rape.html\">State Rape Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/sex-offenders-and-sex-offenses.html\">Sex Offenders and Sex Offenses<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/the-sex-offender-registration-and-notification-act-.html\">The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>State laws change frequently. For case specific information regarding Rhode Island&#8217;s rape and sexual assault laws contact a local <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/rhode-island\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">criminal defense lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p><i>If you are a rape or domestic violence survivor there is help available for you. During an emergency dial 911, and when you&#8217;re safe contact the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dayoneri.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Assault &amp; Trauma Resource Center of RI<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" 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<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Rhode Island, rape and sexual assault are both criminalized under the state&#8217;s sexual assault laws. These laws prohibited &#8220;sexual penetration&#8221; and &#8220;sexual contact&#8221; under specific circumstances. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":376097,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[3387],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-376167","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state","state_laws_tags-statelaws_40_1"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/376167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=376167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/376167\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/376097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=376167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=376167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=376167"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=376167"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=376167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}