The National Council on Aging estimates that at least 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have experienced elder abuse – and many public health experts believe that the true numbers may be much higher. While relatively few of these cases involve sexual abuse or rape compared to other forms of exploitation, there are still far too many instances of these unspeakably violent crimes. And according to a CNN investigation into nursing home sexual abuse, over 226 nursing homes failed to protect victims between 2010 and 2015.
How to Identify the Signs of Elder Sex Abuse
From rape to non-consensual fondling, there are many different forms of sexual abuse, and some of these can be incredibly hard to track. Behind the closed doors of a nursing home, malicious aides may commit heinous acts against the elderly, especially when there is limited supervision or an understaffing problem.
- Photographing residents naked or in a sexual manner without consent
- Sexual assault and battery
- Coerced or forced nudity and humiliation
- Sexually-motivated fondling or touching, particularly during bathing routines
- Rape & molestation
- Emotional and mood changes: Victims of sexual assault and abuse are far more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder than almost any other group. If your loved one has withdrawn socially, experienced new panic attacks, or started to avoid certain staff members, pay attention to those emotional changes.
- Bodily injuries: The elderly are more vulnerable to infections and injuries than people in other age groups, which means that sexual abuse will frequently leave a trace. From bruising on the lower body to increased difficulty with walking, rape and other forms of molestation frequently leave lingering signs of physical abuse on an elderly body.
- Unexplained STDs and infections: The elderly can consent to sexual activity even in a nursing home, and it is possible for the elderly to get sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). But if there is no explanation for your loved one’s STD diagnosis, the most likely explanation is that sexual abuse has taken place.
- Physical evidence: In nursing homes that are dirty or poorly maintained, sexual abusers may be more careless with physical evidence, leaving torn or stained clothing behind after an assault or abusive episode. This is because they believe no one will notice, or that authorities will assume that the elderly person caused the disturbance on their own. If you see any signs of torn clothing, moved furniture, or broken objects in your loved one’s room, be sure to document it and ask them what happened.
Dedicated to Defending the Elderly
Whether you have confirmed that your loved one has experienced sexual abuse or simply suspect that they are experiencing wrongful treatment, you should report it as soon as possible and hire a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer. Proving these cases can require substantial experience, and you may face opposition from the negligent nursing home facility that let it happen.
 National Trial Lawyers: Medical Malpractice Top 100 in the U.S. (Top 25 for S.C.)  Nursing Home : Top 10 Trial Lawyers Association |  Expertise.com: Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Greenville |