When you choose a nursing home for your loved one, your goal is to provide a safe home for them. If you begin to feel concerned that your loved one is not being treated fairly or safely at the nursing home, you may have to take actions to ensure everything is okay.
Unfortunately, many caregivers violate the trust you put in the facility, and they often do this in one of the most heinous ways. If you suspect your loved one has encountered inappropriate behavior at the nursing home, you need to look for the signs so you can move forward.
Understand Signs of Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Signs of rape may include bruises and other injuries to the pelvis or chest or contraction of a sexually transmitted infection. Torn, bloody clothing and bleeding are also common signs.
Other signs are not as overt. You may not be able to spot the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety right away. You may not understand how much fear your loved one has, for example, unless you see the effects of abuse over a long time. The same applies to emotional and social withdrawal, which are also common.
Types of Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Sexual abuse includes sexual attention, harassment, or behavior when the senior is unable to or does not consent. Abuse does not always have to be physical, especially if your loved one is in a situation where he or she is unable to physically protect themselves or alert somebody else to the abuse he or she is suffering.
Rape is one form of sexual abuse in which an individual is forced to engage in sexual intercourse. Rape can be violent, but it does not always appear to be so. In fact, some nursing home residents are taken advantage of because they may have a diminished mental or physical capacity.
Unwanted touching is also sexual abuse. While nursing home staff members may need to bathe your loved one or administer some medical treatment, sexual touching is distinct. Discuss the situation with your loved one to shed light on unwanted or inappropriate touching.
In some cases, victims have been photographed in sexual ways. Some people may take photos for personal viewing or post them online.
Forced nudity is also a form of abuse. Again, nursing home patients do sometimes need to be bathed, but this does not mean they can’t have some expectation of privacy. They should not be forced to be nude in front of other residents, for example.
In some cases, even comments about sexuality are harassment. For example, a staff member should not be making comments about the body of your loved one, especially if they are of a sexual nature or meant to intimidate.
Keep in mind that sexual abuse may occur at the hands of staff members, visitors, and even fellow residents of the home. Your loved one may be vulnerable to several groups of people. Open communication with your loved one can help you stay on top of abuse.
Legal Options After Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Individuals who are sexually abused in nursing homes may secure settlements in court. They can recover some of the losses to physical injury and even pain and suffering caused by emotional damage and trauma.
Randall A. Wolff & Associates, Ltd has more than 30 years of experience with cases just like yours. If you are ready to pursue a personal injury case against a nursing home for neglect or abuse, then call us today. We can set up a consultation with one of our qualified attorneys.
