A 71-year-old man from Fort Ann, NY has been arrested for alleged sexual abuse of an elderly resident of thed.
Theodore F. Davidson has been arrested and charged with second degree sexual abuse, as well as endangering the welfare of an incompetent person.
According to state police, Davidson is acquainted with the resident.
An investigation into sexual abuse allegations came after a staff member walked into the patient’s room and saw the act on April 30th. The staff member intervened and called police.
Davidson is currently free on his own recognizance bond after an arraignment in Granville Town Court.
Sexual Abuse of the Elderly
Many forms of abuse are unfortunately common for elderly patients. Caregivers and family members can become frustrated with the elderly person and physically or emotionally abuse them. The elderly person could be neglected, either because they are unable to communicate their needs to family members, or their legal caregivers refuse to do their jobs. Greedy family members or friends could use the elderly person’s failing memory to exploit money from them, leaving the patient without resources.
Sexual abuse is one of the most emotionally difficult types of elder abuse. Residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities could face sexual abuse from other residents, or from staff members. These people could take advantage of the patient’s dementia or worsening physical condition.
It is very important to know the signs of elder abuse, especially of sexual abuse. As with other victims of sexual abuse, elderly patients will feel embarrassed or ashamed, and will have a very hard time discussing events. They will delay in reporting the abuse, which means there will be less physical evidence. If the case is taken to court, jurors might be reluctant to believe the elderly can be victims of sexual abuse.
Perpetrators of sexual abuse against the elderly can use this embarrassment to their advantage. They could use mental and physical incapacity in the victim to claim that they were elsewhere, or that the victim gave consent and simply forgot. They could also claim that they did not know about the victim’s incapacity.
If you have an elderly relative, especially if they are in the hands of caregivers or a residential facility such as an assisted living facility or nursing home, it is important to know the signs of elder abuse, from neglect to sexual abuse. Changes in behavior, unexplained bruises, depression, dehydration and malnutrition, and fear around certain people are all signs of abuse. In South Carolina, you can contact the Department of Social Services’ Adult Protective Services Division and ask questions, or report suspected elder abuse. You can call them at (803) 898-7318 or visit their website: https://dss.sc.gov/content/
The Strom Law Firm Prosecutes Elder Abuse and Sexual Abuse of the Elderly
If your loved one is a resident of a skilled nursing facility, long term care facility, assisted living, or independent living facility, and has faced sex abuse or sexual misconduct from employees or fellow residents, you do not have to suffer in silence. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm will fight a variety of elder abuse and neglect cases, because it is very important that our elders receive the best possible care at the end of their lives, and we must hold these facilities to the highest possible standard. We offer free, confidential consultations, so you can discuss the facts of your case with impunity. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800.
