Legal Question in Criminal Law in Rhode Island

I have an Aunt who is married to my mother's molester. One day, a year ago, my mom told me in a vulnerable state and in complete confidence that he molested her when she was 7 years old. She said she had never said anything to anyone before and wanted to keep it that way, but knew i could be trusted. She asked me not to mention anything to him. Now Im friends with my aunt on a popular social media site and have been seeing pictures of the molester in my news feed a lot. Today I really couldnt take it anymore and I decided to tell my aunt. I KNOW it happened and I believe my mom 100%. But my aunt is standing by her husband (obviously) and telling me the husband will be pressing charges on my mother for false accusations. The incident happened 38 years ago and my mom kept it in her whole life. My question is, can they press charges even though she is not going around telling people? I understand this is my fault, and i should have minded my own business, but i didn't. The only person my mom has told was myself, and in complete confidence. Im wondering if also i can be charged with false allegations and, also, how can they be deemed false just based on his and her word? Thank you in advance.


Asked on 8/01/16, 1:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Staff General Counsel LawyersCollaborative

Based on the limited information provided, I see no basis for criminal charges of any kind (false accusations generally is not a criminal offense). Molester could, theoretically at least, try to sue for civil damages, but that would only bring more attention to him and his alleged misdeeds, so it is doubtful he would pursue such a path.

Best wishes,

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Answered on 8/02/16, 3:32 am


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