Crimes
Even if you do not qualify for a restraining order, the abuser may have committed a crime. If you call the police, they may arrest him/her for a crime and you may get a restraining order through the criminal court. Remember that even if you do have a restraining order, you can still report him/her to the police if you believe s/he committed a crime against you.
In our Abuse Using Technology section, you can learn the types of behaviors that are considered a misuse of technology. Some of these behaviors might be recognized as a crime depending on the specific laws of your state.
What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Rhode Island?
If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Rhode Island?
What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Rhode Island?
Here is a list of some possible crimes in Rhode Island that the abuser may have committed. You can click on the links to read the legal definition of each crime on our State Statutes page:
- Abandonment or nonsupport of spouse or children
- Failure to pay child support
- Desertion by leaving state
- Domestic assault by strangulation
- Simple assault
- Battery by an adult upon a child 10 years or younger
- Sexting
- Child neglect
- Child abuse
- Child endangerment
- Kidnapping
- Childsnatching
- Abduction of child prior to court order
- Kidnapping of a minor
- Enticement of children
- Crank or obscene telephone calls
- Unauthorized interception of communication
- First degree sexual assault
- First degree child molestation sexual assault
- Second degree child molestation sexual assault
- Indecent solicitation of a child
- Disorderly conduct
- Possession of arms by person convicted of crime of violence
- Identity fraud
- Cyberstalking and cyberharassment
- Online impersonation
- Stalking
- Video voyeurism
- Unauthorized dissemination of indecent material
- Electronic tracking of motor vehicles.
If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General runs a Victim Services Unit, which provides information on victims’ rights and services for felony crime victims and their families You can also call them at (401) 274-4400.
The Rhode Island Department of Corrections runs an Office of Victim Services, which provides information on victims’ rights and services for all crime victims whose offenders are currently in custody at the Adult Correctional Institutions. You can also call them at (401) 462-5203.
For information on victims’ compensation in Rhode Island, visit the Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer’s website, or contact them by telephone at (401) 462-7655.
If you are a victim of domestic violence and have been charged with a crime, you can go to our Abuse Victims Charged with Crimes page.
Other organizations for victims of crime are listed on our National Organizations - Crime Victims page.