Frost & Beck, P.C. is a Colorado law firm devoted solely to victims of nursing home abuse and neglect and their families.
When you check a loved one into a nursing home facility, you expect them to be treated with the utmost care and respect. While most facilities do uphold these values, nursing home abuse and neglect is far more prevalent than many people care to imagine.
Shockingly, this includes sexual abuse. In the event a loved one of yours is taken advantage of while in an elder care facility, our Colorado nursing home sexual abuse attorneys at Frost & Beck, P.C. can help.
Our compassionate and determined nursing home sexual abuse lawyers in Denver will do whatever it takes to get you and your family through this harrowing experience.
If you or a family member has been sexually abused while in elder care, we are here to help. Contact Frost & Beck, P.C. to work with empathetic and experienced Denver nursing home sexual abuse attorneys.
Elder sexual abuse occurs when an unwanted sexual advance or contact is made with an individual over 60 who either does not or cannot consent. The latter is usually due to unconsciousness or a mental illness such as dementia.
Sexual abuse is the least reported type of elder abuse, according to data from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the World Health Organization (WHO)—cases of sexual abuse tend to be under reported or covered up.
An in-depth investigative report published by CNN shows that from 2013 to 2016, over 1,000 nursing homes were cited for sexual abuse—roughly 100 of these received multiple citations during that time. In about 80% of known cases, the perpetrator was the caregiver to the elder.
Sexual abuse of nursing home residents is a heinous and widespread issue. However, because it is little talked about and so under researched, it often remains hidden. There are a few reasons why this can be the case.
First, people tend not to take claims of sexual abuse seriously. An important thing to remember when dealing with such claims is to always believe the victim.
Even if your loved one is dealing with failing memory or cognition as a result of old age or a condition such as Alzheimer’s, it is important to take their word for it if they claim they were sexually assaulted. While there are instances of false or inaccurate claims, these are vastly outnumbered by those which turn out to be true.
Another reason is that offenders often take advantage of elderly individuals while they sleep or who are unable to properly communicate in order to cover up their actions. In these cases, your elderly loved one may not even be aware of the abuse, making it impossible for them to report it.
Here are some signs that your loved one may have been sexually abused:
Only about 30% of victims of sexual abuse who are over the age of 65 actually report the abuse to the authorities. This may be because they are frightened, embarrassed, or even unsure that abuse occurred. This is why it is crucial to take action if you suspect sexual abuse may have occurred.
A nursing home sexual abuse attorney in Denver can work on building your case and collecting evidence on your behalf, so you can spend your time caring for your loved one. While you work on ensuring your relative is placed in a safe place or in the care of a trusted individual, we will complete the necessary legal paperwork and other processes so you can take the time to focus on recovery together.
Our Frost & Beck, P.C. attorneys are compassionate and understanding. Attorney Christelle C. Beck’s mother endured hardship and injury while staying in a negligent nursing home in Denver, so we can relate to what you are going through. When it comes to fighting our opponents during negotiations or in court, we refuse to be intimidated.
We always put our clients first and we never back down. Our Colorado sexual assault lawyers won’t stop until you and your family receive justice. Call us today at (720) 408-4402 to learn more.
