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Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is any form of non-consensual physical contact. It includes rape, molestation, or any sexual conduct with a person who lacks the mental capacity to exercise consent.

Who are the perpetrators?

Perpetrators of sexual abuse include attendants, employees of care facilities, family members (including spouses), and others.

Facility residents sometimes assault fellow residents

Who is at risk?

The majority of identified victims are women, however older men have been sexually abused in both domestic and institutional settings.
Persons with physical or cognitive disabilities
Persons who lack social support and are isolated

What are the indicators?

Indicators are signs or clues that abuse has occurred. Physical indicators may include injuries or bruises, while behavioral indicators are ways victims and abusers act or interact with each other. Some of the indicators listed below can be explained by other causes (e.g. inappropriate or unusual behavior may signal dementia or drug interactions) and no single indicator can be taken as conclusive proof. Rather, one should look for patterns or clusters of indicators that suggest a problem.

Physical indicators

Genital or anal pain, irritation, or bleeding
Bruises on external genitalia or inner thighs
Difficulty walking or sitting
Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
Sexually transmitted diseases

Behavioral indicators

Inappropriate sex-role relationship between victim and suspect
Inappropriate, unusual, or aggressive sexual behavior

How can I learn more?

"Speaking the unspeakable: An interview about elder sexual assault with Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik, Ph.D" in nexus, A Publication for NCPEA Affiliates, April 1998.
"Elder Sexual Abuse: Research Findsing and Clinical Issues," Vol 20, No. 4 2008 Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect
Ramsey-Klawsnik, H. (1996). Assessing physical and sexual abuse in health care settings. In L.A. Baumhover & S.C. Beall (Eds.) Abuse, neglect and exploitation of older persons: Strategies for assessment and intervention, (pp. 67-87). Baltimore, MD: Health Professionals Press.