Few things distress an individual more than the thought that their loved one suffered sexual abuse in the nursing home where they reside. This form of abuse can happen in any nursing home setting where caregivers violate the duty of care they owe their residents.
Sexual assault offenders who target nursing home residents often take advantage of a victim’s vulnerability due to their ill health, dependence on others, and/or decline in mental ability. The abusers seek out potential victims they believe to be easy to overpower and manipulate, or those who are not capable of reporting an assault or defending themselves.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm are here to help if you suspect a loved one is a victim of elder sexual abuse in a nursing home setting. Our Oak Park sexual abuse lawyers fight to bring abusive nursing homes to justice and provide for the needs of the people who have been harmed. Reach out for a free case evaluation with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today.
Types of Sexual Abuse
Sexual assault comprises many types of actions. All types, however, hold one thing in common: They happen against the victim’s will or without their consent. Sexual assault also covers actions that occur when an individual is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, disabled, or below the age of consent in the state where the assault transpired.
The National Institute of Justice lists the following activities as forms of sexual assault when they happen in the above circumstances:
- Intentionally touching the victim’s genitals, breasts, groin, or anus
- Exposing the victim to exhibitionisms
- Exposing the victim to pornography
- Voyeurism
- Publicly displaying images taken of the victim in a “private context” or without their knowledge
These actions may or may not involve the use of actual force, weapons, threats of force, intimidation, coercion, or pressure.
Rape
Although in some states, sexual assault stops short of attempted rape or rape, other states use the terms interchangeably, and still others consider rape to be a form of sexual assault. In a situation of rape, the victim suffers nonconsensual penetration (vaginal, anal, or oral), either by objects or the perpetrator’s body parts. This type of assault involves physical force or threats of physical harm. Alternatively, the victim is considered a minor or was incapacitated at the time of the assault.
Definition of Elder Sexual Abuse
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines elder sexual abuse as forced or unwanted sexual interaction of any kind with an older adult. Elder sexual abuse ranks as the least acknowledged and reported type of elder mistreatment. Sexual contact with any person incapable of giving consent also qualifies as sexual abuse. Types of sexual abuse include but are not limited to:
- Unwanted sexualized kissing or fondling
- Sexual assault or battery
- Sexually explicit photography
- Rape
- Sodomy
- Forced nudity
- Inappropriate sexual interest in the victim’s body
Nursing home residents suffer particularly high vulnerability and risk of abuse because of their dependence on the nursing home caregivers due to physical disability, chronic illnesses, and cognitive decline in patients who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory impairment.
For a free legal consultation with a Sexual Abuse Lawyer serving Oak Park, call (800) 794-0444
Signs of Elder Sexual Abuse
Distressing findings from research that appeared in Nursing Research and Practice show both male and female nursing home patients can endure sexual abuse. This makes it important for you to recognize the signs of these immoral and illegal actions. You need to know the signs that your loved one suffers sexual abuse so you can put a stop to it and hold those responsible accountable for their inexcusable offenses.
What to Look ForLook for both physical and psychological evidence of sexual abuse. Things to notice include:
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases and infections
- Bruises to the genital areas, thighs, or breasts
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Clothing with tears, stains, or blood on them
- Unexplained difficulty walking or sitting
- Depression and withdrawal
- Anxiety or excessive fear around a caregiver or any other person
- Agitation and abrupt mood change
The task of holding an offender liable for the damages of your loved one’s sexual assault becomes a challenge without sufficient physical evidence. If you notice any of the above in the case of your elderly loved one, you should immediately contact the authorities.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you seek justice. If you have any concerns that a loved one suffers from nursing home abuse, contact us today for a free consultation to see how an Oak Park sexual abuse lawyer may be able to help.
Oak Park Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
The Complexity of Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Cases
Nursing home sexual abuse cases can prove challenging. Sexual abuse of elders goes under-reported to authorities, as the victims often suffer from medical problems that cause confusion, memory loss, or difficulty communicating. Even with mentally sharp victims, the nursing home could brush off the allegations by blaming the resident’s age or mental state.
You know your loved one better than anyone else. Your certainty of their abuse has, no doubt, caused you terrible emotional anguish. Do not put yourself through the additional stress of trying to bring those responsible for the abuse to justice.
If you have a loved one or someone you care for who is showing signs of abuse or neglect, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today. We will fight to get you the compensation to which you may be entitled.
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Statute of Limitations in Illinois
The legal deadline by which victims must file a personal injury claim is known as the statute of limitations under 735 ILCS5. In Illinois, this statute requires that you file a nursing home abuse lawsuit within two years of the date of the injury.
This means that if you fail to file a lawsuit within the timeframe, you may not be able to hold those responsible for your loved one’s sexual abuse accountable for their actions or pursue any awards for the harm they have committed. If you suspect a loved one suffered sexual abuse, contact a member of our Oak Park sexual abuse lawyer team as soon as possible.
Taking early action will give your lawyer more time to build your case.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Protecting the Wrongfully Neglected
The legal process of proving nursing home sexual abuse cases and seeking compensation for damages presents many obstacles, but the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm stands ready to overcome every challenge and fight against the wrongs your loved one endured.
We provide our clients with the compassion and ardent litigation they deserve. We have helped thousands of clients as they seek justice for personal injury, including sexual abuse in a nursing home. For a free case evaluation, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
