Protecting Those Who Can’t Protect Themselves- Fighting Against Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
When your elderly or infirm loved ones go to a nursing home, they deserve to have a safe environment and quality care. Unfortunately, that scenario is rarely the case. Incidents of sexual abuse occur with astonishing and disturbing frequency in nursing homes. Earlier this year, CNN published an investigative report on sexual abuse in nursing homes. They “found that more than 1,000 nursing homes have been cited for mishandling suspected cases of sex abuse.” Tragically, we can often trace these abhorrent acts to egregious negligence in hiring or supervision by the nursing home. The attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter are here to assist you with nursing home sexual abuse claims and other types of nursing home negligence cases. We hold facilities accountable for any abuse a loved one endured.
What is Sexual Abuse?
The Ohio nursing home residents’ rights include “the right to be free from physical, verbal, mental, and emotional abuse and to be treated at all times with courtesy, respect, and full recognition of dignity and individuality.”
A nursing home infringes upon this right when any type of abuse occurs. This includes sexual assault.
The National Council of Aging defines sexual abuse as, “touching, fondling, intercourse or any other sexual activity with an older adult when the older adult is unable to understand, is unwilling to consent or when the aggressor threatens the victim or forces contact.” Other types of elderly sexual abuse include:
- Sexual photography
- Spying on an individual in the bathroom
- Telling a sexual joke or story
Many nursing home residents are vulnerable to abuse due to a variety of reasons. Some individuals have trouble communicating, others don’t have full mobility to get around. Those who have dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, a physical disability or experience social isolation or neglect are at an increased risk for abuse. Residents are even more vulnerable during night shifts when they are sleeping and there is less supervision and staff on duty.
In the majority of elder sexual abuse cases, the perpetrator was the caregiver or nursing home staff member. Sexual abuse incidents are also occasionally caused by other residents, facility visitors, family members or strangers.
Signs of Sexual Assault in a Nursing Home
Nursing home residents may suffer from memory loss, confusion, or issues with communication which can make identifying sexual abuse incidents more difficult. To help identify possible sexual assault, friends and family members should look out for these following signs:
- New emergence of sexually transmitted diseases
- Recently developed issues with walking or sitting
- Pelvic injuries
- Bruises on and around the genital area
- Anal or genital pain, bleeding, or irritation
- Bloody, torn, or stained undergarments
- Social withdrawal
- Panic attacks or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
- Inappropriate, aggressive, or unusual sexual behavior
- Depression
Report any incident of suspected sexual assault to law enforcement.
How to Help Prevent Sexual Abuse
Oftentimes, facilities don’t properly train nursing home staff and administrators to identify sexual abuse. They do not know how to handle suspected or reported incidents as a result. Facilities should take the following steps to ensure safety for nursing home residents:
- Train staff to identify abuse and protect victims
- Run thorough background checks on staff
- Implement more supervision for residents
- Educate residents and families about prevention and detection
- Put a successful abuse reporting system in place
- Preserve evidence (don’t change clothes, sheets, etc.)
