With an increasing population of vulnerable people, many of whom are living with physical or mental impairments, nursing homes are easy targets for potential abusers. Residents can be subject to sexual abuse from staff, fellow residents, family members, and even lawful and unlawful visitors.
Yes, it’s uncomfortable to think about, but sexual abuse in nursing homes is an issue that warrants serious attention, discussion, and action. Though sexual abuse may not be commonly associated with elder-care facilities, it, unfortunately, makes sense that such facilities can attract and harbor sexual predators.
In short, many experts believe that sexual abuse in nursing homes is a growing problem and one that is not taken seriously enough. As a result, large gaps exist in the understanding of how common elder sexual abuse really is.
Most research into the subject finds one of the biggest barriers to reliable, comprehensive data on sexual abuse in nursing homes is an overall lack of reporting on such events. According to one such report, it’s estimated that only 30% of all cases of elder sexual abuse are ever reported to authorities.
Sexual abuse in nursing homes can be perpetrated by:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Aides
- Assistants
- Administrators
- Managers
- Foodservice workers
- Custodians
- Fellow residents
- Visitors
Signs of elder sexual abuse can manifest both physically or mentally, and include (but are not limited to):
- Pelvic injury
- Trouble walking and/or sitting
- Development of a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Bruises and/or cuts near the genitals or inner thighs
- Indications of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Suicide attempts
- Panic attacks
- Withdrawing from social engagement
- Sudden, inexplicable changes in emotion
Family members and/or loved ones of the sexual abuse victim should take the following steps:
- Call 911
- Call and report the incident to Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Report the incident to the nursing home administrators, so that the event is logged and a record exists
- HARPit: submit an incident report
Only by acting on incidents of sexual abuse can the trend be addressed and, ultimately, reversed.
Regardless of how sexual abuse in nursing homes occurs or whom it is perpetrated by, the problem is ongoing and deserves public attention and support. Read full article here
