Sexual Abuse

It seems almost inconceivable that an older member of the family who has been entrusted to the care of a nursing home would be subjected to any form of sexual abuse. However, our team knows from experience that sexual misconduct is unfortunately quite common in nursing homes. Sometimes abusive acts are committed by staff members while other times, inattentive staff allow residents to commit sexual assault or other forms of abuse.

If you suspect a loved one has been the victim of sexual abuse, it is important to act quickly to prevent further physical, mental, and emotional damage. The team at The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm can investigate to determine what is happening and who is at fault. We work to hold nursing homes accountable for abuse, seeking justice and retribution for victims and to a safer home for all residents in the future.

The Sad Truth About Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes

Of all forms of abuse and neglect that occur in nursing homes and other senior care facilities, sexual abuse is the least likely to be reported. Some victims are unable to communicate what has happened and the reason for their distress. Others experience pain but may be unconscious of what has occurred. Still others inform staff members of their abuse, but their accusations are not believed.

The World Health Organization reports that nearly 2% of adults over the age of 60 living in community settings either reported being the victim of sexual abuse or had a family member report such abuse. A significant percentage of staff members also reported that residents under their care had been subjected to sexual abuse.

Other organizations have reported similar or even worse findings about the prevalence of abuse. Individuals with physical and mental disabilities are statistically more likely to suffer such abuse. When residents, family, or even staff members report abuse to nursing home administrators, their reports are often disregarded. This could be due to the fact that many victims cannot adequately assert their own rights. It could also be due to a desire to hide behavior that would have a negative impact on a nursing home’s ability to obtain certification or attract well-funded residents.

The Impact of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is devastating to vulnerable, older individuals. For many victims, it is the psychological damage that is most harmful. Sexual abuse is horrifically traumatic and can cause a victim to suffer post-traumatic distress syndrome, causing them to relive the trauma repeatedly. It can lead to depression and a loss of self-worth. Even one incident can change a victim’s life forever.

Signs that a nursing home resident may be suffering from sexual abuse include:

• Underwear or other garments with tears or blood stains
• Unwillingness to allow physical contact
• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Itching or pain in the genital area or breasts
• Unexplained fear
• Sleep difficulty
• Self-destructive or regressive behavior
• Refusal to participate in social activities
• Covering up with additional layers of clothing

Even though the victims are not the ones at fault, they often feel a tremendous sense of shame and may deny or resist talking about what is happening. It takes an experienced and compassionate advocate to find out the truth. At The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, we can investigate to ascertain the nature and extent of the problem and to develop options to address short-term and long-term concerns.

Ending Sexual Abuse and Preventing Further Harm

When you take action to bring sexual misconduct to light in a nursing home, you may have several options for preventing future harm and seeking justice for injuries that have already occurred. It may be possible to obtain compensation to enable a move to a different facility and to provide for other future needs. Any step you take to uncover a problem can improve the lives of countless others going forward, as the nursing home examines processes and procedures and assesses the conduct of staff.

According to our research, The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, powered by Reed Law Offices, PC, LLO is the only law firm in the state of Nebraska devoted exclusively to representing victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you suspect a loved one may be suffering from sexual abuse or other forms of abuse, we urge you take steps to learn the truth and correct the situation as soon as possible. For a confidential consultation to learn how our team can assist, contact us now.