Dealing With Elderly Sexual Abuse

1. Dealing With Elderly Sexual Abuse

3. Although the increased care for the elderly, sexual abuse of such groups continues to upsurge. Most of the research shows that both men and women in nursing homes are victims of sexual abuse. Such issues continue to raise questions on what actions are taken for the penetrators. If you took your senior to a nursing home but later found out they have been sexually abused, the issue needs to be legally addressed. This article contains signs of sexual abuse and what one can do if they suspect their loved one has been subjected to sexual abuse. Signs Of Elder Sexual Abuse Abuse is considered an intentional act that inflicts pain leading to mental, physical, or any other unpleasant outcome to vulnerable individuals. Unfortunately, the issues of sexual abuse in nursing homes have been sparsely researched. This leads to victims suffering unnecessarily with other medical complications such as mental issues, difficulty in communications, which interferes with their general wellbeing. Whether the act is consensual or a sex act in nature, or even any unwanted touching, this may be considered sexual abuse. It doesn’t mean that the act is self is what only constitutes sexual abuse. Other cases that may be regarded as sexual abuse include forced nudity, sexual photography, rape, etc.

4. Research shows that women are more likely to be sexually abused in nursing homes compared to men. And a great percentage of the perpetrators are those who are supposed to provide care to the elderly. If you noted queer signs in your loved ones and wondering what to look for to detect sexual abuse, you may seek help. Sexual abuse can emanate from the staff or other residents. And while some abuse seem apparent, sexual abuse may be somewhat tricky to detect. Below are the common signs to look out for: • Bleeding or bruises in the genital area. • Unexplained blood stains on the sheets, clothes. • Sexually transmitted diseases. • Unexplained fear of certain staff or even a resident. • Withdrawal. If you recognize any of the above signs, you should contact proper authorities as soon as possible. In most cases, seniors who have been subjected to the above suffer in silence. As such, the loved ones may take time to know any happenings. Any elderly subjected to sexual abuse may suffer from mental problems or physical or emotional trauma.

5. Sexual abuse may be considered a crime. If your loved one has been subjected to such, you can consider consulting an elder abuse attorney. Such a lawyer can help you investigate your case and also assist in documenting evidence. Again, such a lawyer has a deeper understanding of the rights of nursing home residents You Need To Report The Sexual Abuse If you have solid reasons to believe that your loved one has been sexually abused, you need to take action. Below are few steps you can consider: • Confirm the case: You need to ensure that whatever signs you see relate to your senior’s suffering. Where possible, you can request more information from other residents. It would also be easier to prove the abuse if you have photos of stains or bruises suffered. •Take your senior for a medical checkup: This will help confirm whether your information is correct. With clear medical records, it becomes easy to prove the personal injury claim. You can also take your seniors to another facility for their safety. •Report the sexual abuse case: Since you have confirmed the sexual abuse, such issues need to be reported as soon as possible. This will assist in filing a claim against the liable party. • Seek legal help: One best way to deal with sexual abuse cases is to look for an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer specializing in elder abuse.

6. Who May Be Liable? Anyone can commit sexual abuse in nursing homes. Examples of people who may be held liable for such acts include: • Caregivers. • Other nursing home residents. • Family members. Determining who may be held liable for elder abuse may be complicated. It requires a knowledgeable lawyer to work on your behalf and know the best course of action for justice. If your loved one has been sexually abused, such need to have peace of mind and an assurance that the offender has faced the consequences. Nursing homes should provide the best possible care to the elderly. Again, every resident has the right to be free from physical, mental, or even financial abuse. If proper care is not taken, this leads to elder abuse in nursing homes. The fact is that elderly are less likely to help in conviction. Also, most residents are unable to give consent or even refuse when such acts are happening Therefore, having someone who has dealt with such cases makes it easy to find the perpetrator. If you are not sure of your loved situation and how to go about the personal injury case, you can request a free case review.

7. SOURCE URL: https://www.garyshood.com/elderly-abuse/