Orange County Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Sexual abuse in Orange County nursing homes can cause devastating physical and psychological harm. As the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) emphasizes, people of any age can be victimized in an act of sexual violence, and hundreds of people in the US are impacted by sexual assault and other forms of violence every day. While it can be difficult to think about, sexual abuse and sexual violence can occur in nursing homes and can result in serious injuries to our elderly loved ones.

Nobody should have to worry about the possibility of sexual abuse in a nursing home setting. To be sure, when we entrust a nursing home with an elderly loved one, we should be able to expect that the facility will hire appropriate staff members to care for our loved one and will provide adequate supervision and attention to ensure that any signs of sexual abuse are identified promptly and handled appropriately. It is important to know that you can take steps to hold the facility accountable and to keep your elderly parent or loved one safe. An experienced Orange County sexual abuse lawyer can talk with you today about options.

What is sexual abuse in a nursing home? In general, sexual abuse in a nursing home setting is similar to sexual abuse or sexual assault in other settings, including any kind of unwanted sexual contact that may include rape. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says that sexual abuse includes any and all of the following actions when another nursing home resident does not consent, has been forced, or is cognitively impaired such that they cannot consent:

• Touching;
• Fondling;
• Intercourse; and
• Any other sexual activity.

Nursing home sexual abuse can be difficult to identify since signs and symptoms may not be obvious when you are visiting a loved one in a nursing home, and residents with cognitive impairment may not be able to identify sexual abuse or report it when it does happen. Common signs to be aware of include bruises in the breasts or near the genital areas, sexually transmitted infections that are not explainable, any type of bleeding or pain in the genital areas, difficulty with urination or using the bathroom, pain when sitting or walking, and emotional changes that could be the result of abuse.

Who perpetrates sexual assault that results in these types of signs or symptoms? According to a study in Nursing Research and Practice, the majority of sexual abuse perpetrators in nursing homes are staff members and other residents, and they are often men (although both women and men are victims of nursing home sexual abuse).

Whether you have concerns about sexual abuse at the hands of a nursing home staff member or another nursing home resident, the nursing home may be liable, and you may be able to file a claim. An experienced Orange County sexual abuse attorney at our firm is here to assist you. Contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group to learn more about how we can help.