title: Sexual predators who target elders: findings from the first national study of sexual abuse in care facilities.
abstract: This article reports research findings concerning 119 alleged sexual perpetrators who were reported to state authorities for abusing elderly individuals residing in care facilities. The largest group of accused was employees of the facilities, followed by facility residents. Family members of the alleged victims and visitors to the facilities also were among those reported as sexually abusive. Investigation of the allegations by Adult Protective Services and regulatory staff resulted in 32 of these individuals being confirmed as sexual perpetrators against vulnerable elders. Male and female alleged and confirmed sexual perpetrators were identified as well as both male and female elderly sexual abuse victims. Perpetrator characteristics, victim vulnerabilities, abuse acts, locations of assaults, and available case outcomes are presented. Implications of the findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Klawsnik and Klawsnik Associates, Canton, MA, USA. ramsey-klawsnik@comcast.net
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ramsey-Klawsnik
authors.forename: Pamela B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Teaster
authors.forename: Marta S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mendiondo
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Marcum
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Abner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003068:Coercion; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*