Helping Elder Victims of Sex Abuse in Texas
Nursing home sexual abuse is prevalent among its vulnerable residents. They often have physical or mental disabilities, which makes them especially susceptible to abuse by a caregiver or another resident. In addition, they may struggle to defend themselves physically or communicate effectively about their experiences. This type of abuse violates their dignity and sense of security.
If you suspect that your family member has been a victim of sexual assault or abuse in a nursing home, please contact the compassionate Dallas nursing home abuse lawyers at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, for a free case evaluation.
To learn how our Dallas nursing home sexual abuse victim attorneys can help you, call (214) 712-4251 for a free consultation.
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Why Choose Crowe Arnold, & Majors, LLP
Proving negligence in nursing home abuse cases is a critical aspect of seeking justice for victims. In many instances, evidence of abuse or neglect may be limited or difficult to obtain. At Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, we understand the complexities involved in nursing home sexual abuse cases, and we are committed to advocating for the rights of victims. When you suspect sexual abuse, the burden of proof falls on you. However, our compassionate lawyers are here to support you every step of the way.
Trust that we will leverage our considerable resources and experience to conduct thorough investigations. We will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult experts to strengthen your case. Finally, we are dedicated to protecting nursing home residents’ rights, ensuring they receive the care, respect, and dignity they deserve.
Understanding Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Sexual assault in nursing homes involves any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior inflicted upon an elderly resident. This violation of their rights can manifest in various forms, including:
- Unwanted intimate touching, especially to breasts or genital area
- Rape
- Forced nudity
- Forced viewing of pornographic materials
- Taking sexually explicit photographs or videos of a resident
Under federal law, nursing home residents have the fundamental right to be free from all forms of abuse. If a nursing home fails in its legal duties to a resident, resulting in sexual abuse or other harm, it may be held liable for any injuries and losses suffered by the resident.
Common Signs of Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Awareness and vigilance are essential in protecting loved ones in nursing homes from sexual abuse. It’s wise for families to educate themselves about the signs, which may include the following:
Physical signs of sexual abuse or assault:
- Unexplained injuries or bruises, particularly around the genitals, breasts, or inner thighs
- Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing or bedding
- Difficulty walking or sitting
- Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Urinary tract infections
- Signs of trauma or pain during urination or bowel movements
- Unexplained pelvic injuries
Behavioral signs of sexual abuse:
- Withdrawal from social interactions or activities
- Increased anxiety or fearfulness, particularly around certain individuals or situations
- Panic Attacks
- Self-harming behaviors
- Depression or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Loss of appetite or changes in eating habits
Recognizing the signs of nursing home sexual abuse is crucial for early intervention and protection.
Types of Sexual Abuse Cases We Handle
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At Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, we handle sexual abuse cases in nursing homes that include the following:
- Caregivers and Staff Members: Seniors are vulnerable to sexual predators who may seek out positions within these facilities to advance their own agendas. There are many opportunities for sexual abuse to take place, especially when the resident is bedridden, or needs help getting dressed or bathing.
- Other Residents: Data shows that resident-on-resident abuse–physical, emotional, and sexual–is quite common in nursing homes. In some situations, the abuser takes advantage of mentally ill victims or may be cognitively impaired themselves. A nursing home facility may be liable if it fails to provide sufficient care and supervision to identify and stop the abuse.
- Third-Parties: While less frequent, sexual abuse may be committed by third parties who have access to the nursing home. This could be a contractor, a vendor, or a visiting family member with permission to be on the premises.
It’s important to remember that statistics indicate that nursing home residents who suffer from cognitive impairment (such as dementia or advanced Alzheimer’s disease) are most at risk for being sexually assaulted.
If you suspect that your family member has been a victim of sexual assault or abuse in a nursing home, please contact the compassionate Dallas nursing home abuse lawyers at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, for a free case evaluation.
What Are the Facts on Nursing Home Sexual Abuse?
According to a recent congressional report, approximately one-third of nursing homes in the United States have been cited for abuse, sexual abuse being one of the most prevalent forms. Other disturbing statistics include:
- 18 percent of women who suffer sexual assault each year are 60 or older.
- In one-third of cases involving sexually abusive acts towards elders, there were witnesses to the incident.
- 83 percent of females and 32 percent of males that are developmentally disabled are victims of sexual assault. And almost half of the victims will experience 10 or more incidents.
- Sexual abuse can take on a wide variety of forms: touching without consent, sexual harassment, sodomy, sexual coercion, or sexually explicit photographing or video recording.
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What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Sexual Abuse?
Sadly, many cases of elder sexual abuse go unreported because the victims feel too ashamed or scared to speak up. To make matters worse, some are verbally intimidated or threatened, and subject to routine emotional and psychological abuse.
This is why you should visit your loved ones on a frequent basis and be on the lookout for physical and emotional signs that things are seriously amiss.
Physical Signs of Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
While an elderly loved one may not say that they have been sexually abused by a caregiver, staff member, or other nursing home resident, you may notice physical signs such as:
- Bruising near the genital area, buttocks, breasts, and thighs
- Discomfort when going to the toilet
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Bloody sheets
- Difficulty sitting or walking
- Torn or bloody underwear
- Unexplained pelvic injuries
- Symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection, such as unusual discharge, swelling, or redness
When visiting, let your loved ones know that you care. Converse about normal things, ask about their day, and avoid aggressive interrogations. Once your loved one feels more comfortable, they may open up about the abuse they have suffered.
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Psychological Signs of Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Some nursing home residents may exhibit changes in behavior and other psychological signs that they have suffered sexual abuse or rape. These signs are often subtle, but may include:
- Anxiety when near a staff member
- Unusual agitation and aggressive behavior
- Emotional and social withdrawal
- Panic attacks
- Poor self-esteem
- Avoidance of relationships
- Self-alienation
- Shame
- Recurrent nightmares
- Changes in eating habits
- Intense distress around certain faculty members
- Unexplained depression
- Sleep disturbances
If your loved one is showing signs of physical abuse or sexual abuse in a Texas elder care facility or nursing home, contact Crowe, Arnold & Majors right away. Our attorneys offer sound legal support and guidance on the best steps moving forward.
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Who Commits Nursing Home Sexual Assault?
Statistics indicate that nursing home residents who suffer from cognitive impairment (such as dementia or advanced Alzheimer’s disease) are most at risk for being sexually assaulted. They are less able to communicate the harms being committed, whether from nursing home staff members, other residents, or strangers who enter the facility.
- Nursing Home Staff: Seniors are vulnerable to sexual predators who may seek out positions within these facilities to advance their own agendas. There are many opportunities for sexual abuse to take place, especially when the resident is bed-ridden, or needs help getting dressed or bathing.
- Other Residents: Data shows that resident-on-resident abuse – physical, emotional and sexual – is quite common in nursing homes. In some situations, the abuser takes advantage of mentally ill victims, or may be cognitively impaired themselves. A nursing home facility may be held liable if they fail to provide sufficient care and supervision that would identify and stop this abuse from occurring.
- Third Parties: While less frequent, sexual abuse may be committed by third parties who have access to the nursing home. This could be a contractor, a vendor, or a visiting family member who has permission to be on the premises.
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Next Steps If Your Loved One Is Sexually Assaulted at a Nursing Home
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) encourages families to take the following steps if their loved one has been subject to sexual abuse:
- Seek medical attention immediately to document the injuries
- File a report with your local law enforcement agency
- Report the incident to your long-term care Ombudsman
- Report the abuse to Texas’ licensing and certification agency for nursing homes
- Get legal assistance from Dallas elder sexual abuse victim attorneys
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Contact A Dallas Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Lawyer
At Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, we will handle your case with the sensitivity and seriousness it merits and use the full scope of our legal skills and resources to obtain justice. But don’t take our word for it–please browse our case results to see that we are the firm for you.
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home sexual abuse, report the incident immediately and call us for a free and confidential consultation about your rights to legal action. Our compassionate legal team advocates for elder sexual abuse victims in Dallas-Fort Worth and communities throughout North Texas.
Additional Information
- Elder Sexual Abuse – U.S. Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/sexual-abuse
- Elder Abuse: Definitions – Sexual Abuse or Abusive Sexual Contact: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/elderabuse/definitions.html
