What Are the Signs of Sex Abuse of a Disabled Person?

It’s important to know the signs of sex abuse of a disabled person if you have a loved one in the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility. Sex abuse in nursing homes and assisted living facilities is a significant concern for both residents and their families. Statistics show that nearly one in 50 residents experience sex abuse during their residency, with primary caregivers being among those most likely to engage in nonconsensual and prohibited sexual conduct.

As a result, for family members who have loved ones living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, it is important to be aware of the signs of sex abuse. While this is true for all residents, it is especially true for those who are disabled—and who may be incapable of understanding what happened to them or communicating about it effectively. When residents fall victim to sexual predation, prompt treatment is critical, and family members must take legal action to hold their loved one’s facility accountable.

Common Signs of Sex Abuse of a Disabled Person Living in a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility

The signs of sex abuse can be both physical and psychological. While some of the signs can be clear in cases of physical sexual abuse, oftentimes, the signs are much more difficult to detect.

To understand the signs of sex abuse, it is first important to understand what constitutes sex abuse of a disabled person living in a nursing home or assisted living facility. While rape is one form of sex abuse, sex abuse can also involve:

• Unwanted and nonconsensual touching
• Forced nudity
• Making sexually explicit jokes
• Making sexual advances or sexual comments about a disabled individual
• Showing disabled individuals sexually explicit images or videos against their will

All forms of sex abuse can cause various forms of harm—whether physical, psychological, or both. With this in mind, some of the most common signs of sex abuse of disabled individuals living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities include:

• Physical Injuries – Unexplained physical injuries are often a sign of sex abuse among disabled individuals living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. While this includes physical injuries to the pelvic and genital regions, it also includes injuries such as bruises and other evidence of restraint on the arms, legs, and other parts of the body. 
• Physical Difficulties – Even if a sexual assault does not result in visible physical injuries, it may still result in physical difficulties. For example, unexplained difficulty walking or sitting comfortably could be a sign of sex abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) – Sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV) are all likely signs of sex abuse. Unless a resident is sexually active, there is no reason why he or she would contract an STD absent some form of sexual encounter.
• Fear of Facility Personnel – Regardless of whether a disabled individual exhibits any physical effects, fear of facility personnel may be a sign of sex abuse as well. If a loved one living in a nursing home or assisted living facility directly or indirectly suggests that he or she is afraid of a caregiver or other staff member, or if he or she recoils or cowers when approached by a caregiver or staff member, this is likely a sign that something is wrong.
• Emotional Withdrawal – Emotional withdrawal can be indicative of all forms of abuse in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, including sex abuse. This is a common and involuntary reaction to severe psychological trauma. In addition to withdrawing, sex abuse victims will often exhibit symptoms of anxiety and depression as well—including irritability, restlessness, and rash decision-making.

What To Do if You Have Concerns About Sex Abuse in a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility 

If you have concerns about sex abuse in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you should not ignore them. Unfortunately, sex abuse in these facilities is all too common. You should help your loved one seek treatment outside of the facility promptly—and you should not let the facility’s caregivers or administrators talk you out of doing so.

You should also speak with a lawyer about your family’s legal rights. Sex abuse can lead to significant out-of-pocket costs, and it can drastically alter victims’ lives. At Boller & Vaughan, we help victims and their families get out of abusive facilities, and we take legal action to recover just compensation on their behalf.

Speak with a Madison Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Boller & Vaughan for FREE

If you have questions or concerns about sex abuse of a disabled person in a Wisconsin nursing home or assisted living facility, we encourage you to contact us promptly.

Please call 608-268-0268 or contact us online to arrange a FREE consultation today. We proudly help clients throughout Wisconsin from our office in Madison.