Today, CNN reported on its investigation into sexual assaults in America’s nursing homes bringing attention to this disturbing, but unfortunately not uncommon crime. CNN uncovered that more than 1,000 nursing homes have been cited for mishandling suspected cases of sex abuse and nearly 100 of these facilities have been cited multiple times during the same period. Although disturbing, this investigative report is well worth the read, especially for those with loved ones in nursing homes.
Borgess Law applauds CNN for its investigative work on this understudied and rarely understood issue. Abusers target the elderly as they are vulnerable and easy targets who are often isolated from family or easily confused. For example, sexual abuse is often committed on patients suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s and other forms of mental impairment. It is important that families and caregivers understand the scope of this “unchecked epidemic,” and recognize the signs of this type (or any type) of abuse.
An excerpt of CNN’s report “Sick, Dying & Raped in America’s Nursing Homes” is below:
Some of the victims can’t speak. They rely on walkers and wheelchairs to leave their beds. They have been robbed of their memories. They come to nursing homes to be cared for.
Instead, they are sexually assaulted.
The unthinkable is happening at facilities throughout the country: Vulnerable seniors are being raped and sexually abused by the very people paid to care for them.
It’s impossible to know just how many victims are out there. But through an exclusive analysis of state and federal data and interviews with experts, regulators and the families of victims, CNN has found that this little-discussed issue is more widespread than anyone would imagine.
Even more disturbing: In many cases, nursing homes and the government officials who oversee them are doing little — or nothing — to stop it.
Sometimes pure — and even willful — negligence is at work. In other instances, nursing home employees and administrators are hamstrung in their efforts to protect victims who can’t remember exactly what happened to them or even identify their perpetrators.
In cases reviewed by CNN, victims and their families were failed at every stage. Nursing homes were slow to investigate and report allegations because of a reluctance to believe the accusations — or a desire to hide them. Police viewed the claims as unlikely at the outset, dismissing potential victims because of failing memories or jumbled allegations. And because of the high bar set for substantiating abuse, state regulators failed to flag patterns of repeated allegations against a single caregiver.
It’s these systemic failures that make it especially hard for victims to get justice — and even easier for perpetrators to get away with their crimes.
How we can help:
Borgess Law, LLC is committed to protecting the rights of nursing home residents and seeking justice when those rights are violated. Often there may be physical or behavioral indicators that sexual abuse has occurred, such as genital or anal pain, irritation or bleeding, bruises including on the external genitalia or inner thighs, difficulty walking or sitting, torn, stained or bloody clothing or underwear, sexually transmitted disease, and/or inappropriate, unusual, or aggressive behavior between the victim or suspect. If you suspect your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, we are available to confidentially discuss the matter and potential legal options. You can contact Borgess Law at (567) 455-5955 or toll-free at (844) LAW-9144. You can also contact Borgess Law by submitting an online inquiry. Borgess Law never charges for initial consultations.