What are signs that a nursing home resident is being sexually abused?

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Abuse April 5th, 2017 2 min read

What are signs that a nursing home resident is being sexually abused?

Physical indicators of sexual abuse include:

Bruises around inner thighs, the genital area or breasts
Unexplained genital infections or venereal disease
Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding, pain or irritation
New difficulty sitting or walking
Torn, stained or bloodied underclothing
An elder’s report of being sexually assaulted or raped

Social indicators of sexual abuse include:

Extreme agitation
Withdrawal from social interactions
Panic attacks or emerging post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms
Suicide attempts
Unusual behavior between the victim and the elder sexual abuse suspect

Victims of dementia will exhibit anxiety or excessive fear around the person providing or tending to their care. They may also engage in more aggressive behaviors.

Getting Help Once a person has suspicions of, or has identified, that a resident is being sexually abused, get help immediately.

Call:

911 or the local police
State Licensing and Certification Agency. This is the agency that inspects nursing homes and investigates complaints.
Adult Protective Services (APS). In some states, APS investigates reported suspicions about abuse of nursing home residents.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. The local long-term care ombudsman is an advocate for nursing home residents and can assist the resident in getting the help needed.
Report the abuse to the nursing home administrator.
The Peck Law Group, APC toll fee at 1-866-999-9085

Contact information for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Adult Protective Services, or the State Survey and Certification Agency can be found at www.theconsumervoice.org. For more information, go to: National Center on Elder Abuse – https://ncea.acl.gov/ National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care – www.theconsumervoice.org National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center – www.ltcombudsman.org National Organization for Victim Assitance – http://www.trynova.org/

See “Sick, Dying and Raped in America’s Nursing Homes” at http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/02/health/nursing-home-sex-abuse-investigation/. See “Challenges When Investigating Elder Sexual Abuse” at https://premierlegal.org/a-guide-to-elder-sexual-assault/. 42 CFR 483.12(c ) See “Elder Sexual Abuse” at http://nursinghomeabuseguide.com/elder-abuse/sexual-abuse/. See “Elder Sexual Abuse” at http://nursinghomeabuseguide.com/elder-abuse/sexual-abuse/. See “Abuse” at https://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-elder-abuse.asp

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.