Nebraska Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Attorney
Sexual Misconduct in Nursing Homes
It is a common misconception that victims of sexual abuse are only teenagers, young adults, and rape victims. In reality, any individual can be subjected to sexually explicit behavior at any time, including elderly persons who are under the support and care of nursing home staff members. Sexual abuse refers to any non-consensual sexual behaviors, including contact of any sort, that are made between an elderly individual and someone else. When this type of abuse happens in nursing home facilities, sometimes the caregivers are directly to blame for the sexually abusive behaviors.
Sexual behaviors do not need to be directly refused in order to fall under the classification of abuse. In some situations, elderly individuals who lack the mental capacity to consent to sexual activity can be victimized as well. This is a recurring trend in cases of nursing home abuse, because many elderly individuals are unable or too fearful to speak out and disrupt the sexually explicit behaviors being made. From unwanted touching, to rape, to coerced nudity, sexual abuse can take shape in a number of ways, all of which are punishable by law.
Elderly individuals can rightfully identify themselves as the victims of sexual abuse if they have experienced any of the following:
- Sexual assault
- Sexual battery
- Rape
- Sodomy
- Unwanted touching
- Sexually explicit photography
- Coerced nudity
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Many victims of sexual abuse are unwilling to come forward with the information out of fear of what their abusers may do in the future. Others may keep the information to themselves out of shame or embarrassment. Therefore, family members and friends of elderly individuals who reside in nursing homes need to keep a close eye out for the signs and symptoms that could warn of sexually abusive behavior.
Aside from an elder's direct report of being sexually assaulted or raped, there are warning signs that you can look out for as well. For example, underclothing that is noticeably torn, stained, or even bloody can be a clear indication that the elderly individual has been victimized by sexual abuse. In addition, bruises that appear around the breasts or genitals of a nursing home resident have little explanation other than sexual abuse. The same is true for venereal diseases and genital infections.
Identifying signs of sexual abuse is only the first step in a set of procedures that need to be taken in order to effectively end the behaviors. While alerting Adult Protective Services (APS) is a necessary action, it is not the only move that should be taken. In addition, it would be wise to involve a nursing home abuse attorney who can step in and help you build a viable case in court. Represented by Domina Law Group, you can feel confident in the aggressive approach that will be taken to personally address your case before the court.
