Los Angeles Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Elder abuse that occurs in Los Angeles County nursing homes and assisted-living facilities takes various forms, and some types of abuse or neglect can be more difficult to spot than others. While physical and emotional abuse are discussed with relative frequency, it is extremely important for family members to know that sexual abuse can and does occur in nursing homes, as well.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) underscores that sexual abuse can be perpetrated by nearly anyone in the facility, including nursing home employees as well as other residents, and residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse. A Los Angeles County sexual abuse lawyer can speak with you today about any concerns you have about an elderly parent or loved one.

How often does sexual abuse occur among older adults in Los Angeles County nursing homes and assisted-living facilities? The precise number can be difficult to track since sexual abuse, along with other forms of elder abuse, goes largely unreported, according to RAINN.

Yet a recent study in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health suggests that more than 20% of nursing home residents have reported incidents that could rise to the level of sexual abuse or sexual violence. Further, the US Department of Justice reports that more than 60% of documented cases of elder sexual abuse involve nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

If you have an elderly loved one who resides in a nursing home or assisted-living facility in Los Angeles or elsewhere in Southern California, what warning signs of sexual abuse should you look for? RAINN identifies the following as some of the most obvious and clear-cut signs of sexual abuse:

• Elderly resident reports being sexually assaulted;
• Bruises around the resident’s breasts or genital area;
• Undergarments or underwear that are ripped, stained, or bloody;
• Vaginal or anal bleeding that is unexplained; and
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are unexplained.

It is important to recognize that, even if obvious signs of sexual abuse identified by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) are not present, any change in a senior’s behavior can be cause for alarm, especially if a vulnerable older adult in a nursing home exhibits behavioral issues that cannot otherwise be explained. And it is essential to remember that older adults with cognitive impairment may not present any signs themselves at all.

Sexual abuse should never occur in a nursing home or assisted-living facility, yet unfortunately, this type of abuse occurs more frequently than many people might think. As we have explained, various parties can perpetrate this kind of abuse and be liable for harm, and the nursing home itself is typically liable, as well. We know how difficult these cases can be, and our firm is here to help. Do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the experienced Los Angeles County sexual abuse attorneys at our firm to have your questions answered and to find out more about how we can assist you. Contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today.