Sex Abuse in Hospitals, Homes and Day Care Centers

GAVL

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Sex abuse is an unfortunate reality, one that we must all be aware of. Sex abusers tend to select victims who are either physically or mentally unable to report the abuse, such as children, the elderly, and those with physically/developmental disabilities.

Under the laws of both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, institutions which care for children, the elderly and the disabled have a duty to provide a reasonably safe and secure environment. The following are examples of such institutions:

  • nursing homes,
  • group homes,
  • juvenile youth centers,
  • group homes for disabled persons, and
  • day care centers.

The duty to provide a reasonably safe environment means having a protocol in place for prompt investigation and reporting of physical and sexual abuse. It also means ensuring employees are sufficiently trained on the protocol.

Sex Abuse Protocol in Institutions – Recognizing the Physical Symptoms of Sex Abuse

One of the necessary elements of a sufficient protocol is recognition of the physical signs of sex abuse, especially where patients, residents or students cannot speak or communicate clearly:

  • physical injury to private parts, genitals or mouth,
  • tenderness or pain in private parts, genitals or mouth,
  • sexually transmitted diseases,
  • pregnancy,
  • excessive masturbation, and
  • inappropriate discussion of sex or masturbation.

Employees must be trained on recognizing these symptoms and what should be done when they suspect sex abuse. It is also important that a sufficient protocol explain that sex abuse can be perpetrated by other patients, students, etc.

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Firm founder, Brian Kent, is a former sex crimes unit prosecutor with care and compassion for victims of sex abuse. He represents victims of sex abuse against those responsible for the abuse, including the abuser as well as the institution which allowed the abuse to continue or failed to stop the abuse.

To submit your case for review by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey sex abuse lawyers, call Click To Call. Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation, and can obtain special admission in other states, such as New York or Delaware, on a case by case basis.

Our attorneys serve accident victims in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; Kent County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE. Our lawyers can obtain special admission in other states on a case by case basis.

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