ADVOCACY

A record number of Rhode Islanders are experiencing domestic and sexual violence. Each legislative session, Sojourner House advocates for policies that look to provide victims of abuse with greater levels of safety and support, and against measures that would cause them undue harm.

Policy Brief: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking

The briefing is intended to be a non-exhaustive educational resource on the topics of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking for elected officials, candidates, and community members interested in learning more.

The brief details:

  • National vs. local rates of violence
  • Economic and housing barriers faced by victims of abuse
  • The connection between gun violence and domestic violence
  • Policy and funding priorities
Read the Policy Brief

2026 Legislative Wins

This funding will support our ongoing efforts to provide safe housing and life-saving supportive services to Rhode Islanders experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

This legislation allows victims of abuse to terminate a lease early without penalty or responsibility for rent along with other protections.

The General Assembly allocated $600,000 to create a domestic violence calendar within Superior Court to address outstanding cases.

Stalking was added to the list of eligible offenses that make someone eligible for victim compensation. Additionally, victims can now request more of their compensation allocation be put to relocation expenses.

Law enforcement are now required to file all domestic and sexual violence and child molestation reports electronically.

Civil suits for childhood sexual abuse have been expanded to allow survivors to pursue accountability against all responsible parties, including institutions that enabled, facilitated, or failed to prevent abuse and not just individuals. Additionally, the definition of educational programs that have a duty to report child abuse and neglect was expanded to include day camps.

The income limit for Rhode Island’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) increased from $261% of the Federal Poverty Level to 285% of the Federal Poverty Level. The exit limit increased to 325% of the Federal Poverty Level from 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The Child Tax Credit increased to $330 per child, which is on par with the U.S. federal maximum Child Tax Credit rate.

$2.95M was allocated to the RI Community Food Bank to offset the latest federal reductions to SNAP benefits.

The amount of child support a family enrolled in RI Works can keep was raised to match the federal maximum, which is $100 a month for one child and $200 a month for two or more children.

Legislation passed to protect protect those attending court proceedings in Rhode Island from arrest by ICE or other federal immigration authorities.

A $120M state housing bond to fund the construction and development of affordable housing will be on the November ballot.

A $25M housing bond will appear on the November ballot to fund affordable housing in the City of Providence.

Legislation We Supported in 2026 that Didn’t Move Forward

Bill Number: H8156

Lead Sponsor: Representative Tanzi

Domestic and sexual violence (DV/SV) are widespread and increasing in Rhode Island, yet too many survivors still go without the support they desperately need. Our state remains one of the few without a permanent budget line for DV & SA services, leaving life-saving programs underfunded and inconsistent. Creative solutions are essential to fill this gap. By creating a dedicated fund for domestic and sexual violence services, legislators would have the ability to vote to prioritize these essential programs and decide where settlement funds go—providing stable, reliable support for survivors across our state.

This bill would create a domestic & sexual violence fund administered by the state’s Victims of Crime (VOCA) administrator.

  • Startup: $1 million from the state’s general revenue.
  • Continued support: 10% of all state settlement funds up to $5 million per settlement will be allocated to this fund.
  • Philanthropic donations can also be deposited into this fund.
  • Creates an advisory group that will be responsible for determining grant awards. Eligible grantees include nonprofits whose missions are to reduce domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
  • The grant administrator will be responsible for publishing an annual report on the program.

Bill Number: H8086

Lead Sponsor: Representative McEntee

Experiences of sexual abuse are often tied to feelings of fear and shame. Because of this, it can often takes years for someone to speak openly about the violence they experienced. Currently in Rhode Island, victims of second-degree sexual assault only have three years to file a police report and seek justice. H8086 looks to extend the statute of limitations on this form of abuse from 3 years to 10 years, or, in the case of a victim who is under the age of 18, 10 years from the victims 18th birthday, whichever is later.

By extending this reporting window we’d be acknowledging the true impact of trauma and making the justice process more accessible for survivors.

Bill Numbers: H7206 and S2603

Lead Sponsors: Representative Casimiro and Senator McKenney

This act would grant an affirmative defense for certain privileged communications, including communications made by an individual, without malice, regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination and would specify the attorneys’ fees and damages available to a prevailing defendant in any defamation action brought against that defendant for making that communication.

Bill Numbers: H7803 and S2681

Lead Sponsor: Representative Slater and Senator Murray

This act would establish a state-funded rental subsidy program to help Rhode Islanders with the lowest incomes exit homelessness and stay stably housed. The act would authorize an initial capitalization of twenty-five million dollars to create the program.

Download the 2026 Legislative Wrap-Up