Sexual abuse in nursing homes is a deeply concerning issue that’s often not spoken about. Worse, many incidents of abuse go unreported.
With a population of older adults, many of whom are living with physical or mental impairments, care facilities can unfortunately attract and harbor potential sexual predators.
“Abusers target elderly people because they believe the elderly are vulnerable and are often too afraid or too ill to ask for help. The abusers may see the residents as easy targets and think that no one will believe them.”
– Elder Sexual Abuse in Care Facilities Training Manual
Residents can be subject to sexual abuse from staff, fellow residents, family members, and lawful or unlawful visitors.
By recognizing the signs of elder sexual abuse, holding perpetrators accountable, and supporting victims, we can work toward creating a safer environment for our senior loved ones.
At Sokolove Law, we’re committed to helping residents and their families seek justice for nursing home abuse. Let us fight for you.
Get a Free Nursing Home Case Review
Understanding Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Many experts believe sexual abuse in nursing homes is a growing problem that isn’t taken seriously enough. However, the biggest barrier to having reliable data about this issue is a lack of reporting.
In one case, a resident was sexually abused by a certified nursing assistant and didn’t initially report it because he was threatened with retaliation if he spoke up, according to the Long Term Care Community Coalition.
Fear of retaliation, in addition to feelings of shame or a resident’s inability to communicate what happened to them, contributes to the underreporting of sexual abuse in nursing homes.
Worse, many nursing homes are driven by profit. This gives facility owners a vested interest in keeping cases of sexual abuse under wraps.
Given the financial stakes of nursing home abuse cases, is it any wonder that hundreds of facilities have failed to report and properly handle instances of sexual abuse?
Below, we’ve outlined some key statistics that will help you to better understand the scope and severity of this problem.
5 Key Facts About Nursing Home Sexual Assault
While more is known about nursing home abuse in general, sexual abuse in nursing homes has rarely been the focus of larger, federally funded studies.
Still, the available statistics on nursing home sexual abuse below help shine a light on a trend that needs more advocacy, research, and funding. Until that happens, the full picture remains unclear.
1. Over 1,800 Sexual Abuse Reports Were Filed Last Year
In 2023, the National Ombudsman Reporting System received 1,862 complaints of sexual abuse in long-term care facilities — a staggering number that has been on the rise in recent years.
That’s a more than 60% increase from 2017, when 1,154 nursing home sexual abuse cases were reported.
This steady uptick in cases highlights a systemic failure to tackle the issue of sexual abuse in nursing homes with the urgency and seriousness it requires.
Sadly, the real rates may be far worse. Nursing home sexual assault often goes unreported or gets misclassified as physical abuse instead.
2. Only 30% of Elder Sexual Abuse Cases Are Reported
The majority of elder sexual abuse cases aren’t reported, with only 30% of victims over 65 coming forward about what happened to them.
Residents often avoid reporting instances due to:
- Difficulty communicating about the abuse, especially if they have cognitive or physical impairments
- Fear of backlash from the person who harmed them
- Lack of awareness or understanding that what happened to them was abuse
- Embarrassment or feelings of guilt that may prevent them from speaking out
This low rate of reporting nursing home abuse prevents many victims from receiving the justice and support they need and may perpetuate a cycle of abuse within care facilities.
3. Around 1 in 15 Nursing Homes Have Mishandled Sexual Assaults
Reviewing three years’ worth of nursing home inspection reports, CNN found that more than 1,000 facilities were cited for mishandling sexual abuse claims or failing to prevent assaults.
With approximately 15,000 nursing homes operating in the United States, that means 1 in 15 facilities haven’t properly protected their residents from sexual abuse.
Such failures may include not reporting an assault, conducting inadequate investigations, or even retaliating against victims by lashing out at them or neglecting their care.
As a result, prospective residents have a 6.7% chance of being at a facility where sexual abuse has taken place and has not been reported.
4. 60% of Victims Suffer from Dementia
More than half of nursing home sexual abuse victims suffer from a form of dementia or cognitive impairment, like Alzheimer’s disease.
These conditions can make it harder for residents to recognize, report, or clearly communicate about unwanted sexual contact, and staff members may doubt or dismiss their claims.
“If a resident tells you that they’ve been sexually assaulted or abused, don’t discount it simply because they have a diagnosis of dementia,” says Tara Patet, a St. Paul’s Domestic Violence Prosecution & Joint Special Victims Unit attorney.
Sadly, victims suffering from dementia may not be able to provide a verbal or written account of what they went through. This leaves perpetrators almost completely unchecked and free to abuse others.
5. Half of Sexual Abuse Victims Die Within 1 Year of the Assault
Tragically, the profound physical and psychological impact of nursing home sexual abuse can lead to severe health declines and, in some cases, wrongful death.
An estimated 50% of nursing home sexual abuse victims pass away within a year of being assaulted, according to The Gerontologist.
Factors that may contribute to this mortality rate include:
- Anxiety or depression, which can weaken the immune system and cause residents to neglect their own needs
- Increased stress following the assault, which may exacerbate chronic health conditions
- Infections that result from the abuse and lead to serious health complications
- Physical injuries like internal bleeding, which can be fatal if not treated quickly
The reality is that sexual abuse can have a long-lasting and potentially deadly impact on nursing home residents.
For this reason, it’s absolutely vital to take extra precautions to prevent this terrible form of abuse from happening at all.
Signs of Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Recognizing the signs of sexual abuse in nursing homes is crucial to protecting vulnerable residents and ensuring they receive the care and justice they deserve.
Signs of nursing home sexual abuse can include:
- Bruises near the genitals, thighs, or breasts
- Indications of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Panic attacks
- Pelvic injury
- Sudden, inexplicable changes in mood
- Trouble walking or sitting
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Withdrawing from social engagement
“Soft signs of abuse are any time you see the resident changing from how they were behaving before. Pay attention to why they are doing it that way. We do this with our pets, we do this with our children. They maybe can’t put words to it. We know something is wrong.”
– Dr. John Brose, Associated Clinic of Psychology
If you believe you’ve spotted signs of elder sexual abuse, it’s important to take action as soon as possible and get immediate help for the victim.
To report nursing home sexual abuse, victims or their loved ones can call 911, contact Adult Protective Services (APS), and notify nursing home administrators.
You can also work with a nursing home sexual abuse lawyer who can guide you through the reporting process and help you take legal action.
Who Commits Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes?
Understanding who might commit sexual abuse in nursing homes is often the first step toward preventing it.
Sexual abuse in nursing homes can be committed by:
- Administrators
- Aides
- Assistants
- Custodians
- Doctors
- Fellow residents
- Foodservice workers
- Managers
- Nurses
- Visitors
No matter how it happens or who is responsible, sexual abuse in nursing homes is never acceptable. This ongoing issue deserves public attention and support.
Get Help from a Nursing Home Sexual Abuse Attorney
Nursing homes are intended to be safe, supportive spaces for those who can no longer care for themselves — but they all too frequently fall short of this promise.
At Sokolove Law, our nursing home sexual abuse attorneys understand the profound impact that an assault has on residents. What happened to your loved one wasn’t fair.
As a national nursing home abuse law firm, we can help families in all 50 states seek justice and hold abusers accountable
Our team has secured over $280 Million on behalf of nursing home residents and their families.
Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to see if we can help you seek justice for abuse in a long-term care facility.
