It is an incredibly disheartening and sad truth that elder sexual abuse occurs in nursing homes. According to one news report, there were over 16,000 complaints of sexual abuse reported since 2000 in long-term care facilities which include both nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This has resulted in over $9 million in fines asserted against nursing homes and facilities which were found in violation or that reports were substantiated. Elder sexual abuse in nursing homes is very serious and can result in severe personal injuries, emotional injuries, and even wrongful death.
The victims of nursing home abuse are our loved ones that we entrusted there. Many times victims are completely defenseless and unable to parry off their attackers. Some victims are unable to even communicate and report the sexual abuse. Other victims may not even be able to understand what is happening or occurring. The bottom line is that many times the victims are placed in the care and treatment of the nursing home facility or assisted living center to be cared for and kept or made healthy, not to be abused, harmed, or even killed. All at the high expense of nursing home fees too.
There are many unfortunate signs of elder sexual abuse by a nursing home. The most obvious sign is when the victim tells a person that it is occurring. There is no reason to question a victim who is confiding in someone else about sexual abuse. If a nursing home resident has said that it is occurring, take action and do not delay.
But most signs of elder sexual abuse are not nearly as obvious. These signs include the following:
Elder sexual abuse is a very serious breach of trust. This breach of trust is not only between the victim and the perpetrator, and not only between the perpetrator and the victim’s family, but also between the perpetrator and society. As we age, some of us will need to relay on assistance to carry out our daily functions. When nursing homes and their staff violate our rights, victims have ways to protect themselves.
We handle cases throughout Oregon and Central Oregon, including Deschutes County, Redmond, Sisters, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, The Dalles, Hood River, Clackamas, Corvallis, Albany, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tigard, Salem, Portland, Hillsboro, Vancouver, Washington, Beaverton, Oregon City, Eugene, Coos Bay, Astoria, Newport, Pendleton, Tillamook, Milwaukie, Gresham, Hillsboro, Medford, and any other city, including Bend, Oregon where our main law office is located, please call Kuhlman Law, LLC by dialing (541) 385-1999 to learn what your rights to compensation you may have. You may also contact us using our easy and convenient “contact us” box at the bottom of our website. If we accept your case, we will conduct a thorough investigation to get you the answers you deserve, all for free. There is no risk, and you only pay us if we recover compensation for you.