Sexual assault in nursing homes is rampant across the country and little is being done to stop it. CNN conducted an investigation into state and federal statistics and data of nursing homes. The analysis by CNN found that this issue is seldom discussed, but is more pervasive and extensive than could be imagined—our most vulnerable loved ones are being sexually assaulted by the people who are charged with their care and being paid to provide that care.
What is even more troubling is that in many instances, the nursing home officials and state regulators who are in charge of oversight are doing little or nothing to prevent this kind of abuse.
Many times, sexual assault in nursing homes is accompanied by elder injury and neglect too. In other cases, nursing home employees, administrators, or regulators are constrained in the investigation and attempt to protect victims who have memory issues and can’t remember what happened or identify their abuser.
In the investigation by CNN, it found that victims and their families were failed at every stage. Nursing homes were slow to investigate and report allegations. Sometimes this was because the victim was not believed, and sometimes because the nursing home wanted to cover up the abuse.
These kinds of failures make it hard for victims to get justice — and even easier for perpetrators to get away with their crimes. If you suspect any kind of nursing home abuse please contact Rikard & Protopapas LLC.