Sexual abuse is any sexual behaviour directed toward an older adult without that person’s full knowledge and consent; it includes coercing an older person through force, trickery, threats or other means into unwanted sexual activity.
Sexual abuse also includes sexual contact with seniors who are unable to grant consent and unwanted sexual contact between service providers and their elderly clients. Sexual abuse can be very difficult to identify as embarrassment and shame may prevent the issue from being talked about or reported.
How Do I Recognize Sexual Abuse?
Sexual Abuse can be:
- Unwanted sexual contact such as touching, sexualized kissing
- Making sexual remarks and/or suggestions to another person
- Forcing a person to perform a sexual act
- Inappropriate touching
- Fondling a confused senior
- Forced intercourse/rape.
- Coerced nudity and sexually explicit photographing.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
- Bruising around the breasts, inner thighs or genital area
- Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections
- Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
- Difficulty in walking or sitting
- Inappropriate sexual comments