Rhode Island AG, state police to review 70 years of sexual abuse allegations from Providence diocese
PROVIDENCE — Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Tuesday that his office and the state police will review all files of childhood sexual abuse collected by the Diocese of Providence since 1950.
The attorney general’s office and Bishop Thomas J. Tobin entered a memorandum of understanding Monday that will give prosecutors and the Rhode Island State Police access to 70 years of diocesan files and records — whether or not the allegations were deemed credible by the diocese.
The attorney general said the review is intended to identify any prosecutable cases and ensure there are no credibly accused clergy in active ministry. The attorney general’s office will also determine how the diocese responded to past reports of child sexual abuse and give the diocese input into improving its policies and procedures for preventing and responding to allegations.