Letters of Support for Study on Sexual Abuse, August 2001

August 23, 2001

NATIONAL LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN RESOURCE CENTER
TO: State Ombudsmen
FROM: Alice H. Hedt, Center Director
SUBJECT: LETTERS OF SUPPORT

Here is an opportunity for ombudsman programs to write letters of support so that this study on sexual abuse will get funded. Many of you will remember Dr. Burgess who spoke at last fall's NASOP meeting and shared her research at one of the NCCNHR sessions. Also, I want to remind you that people who have had experiences of sexual abuse in facilities who are willing to "share their stories" can be refereed to Ann's colleague, Dr. Tim Baker. If you have any newspaper articles about this topic, send them to Tim as well. Please read their message below.

Last year at the National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform annual meeting in Washington, Drs. Ann Burgess and Timothy Baker reported on preliminary work which they had done concerning sexual abuse in nursing homes. They also talked about a proposal to do a national study concerning this problem. Included in that request were several letters of support from Ombudsmen. The proposal was submitted in October 2000 and received high rating, but money was not available for it to be funded. A request has been made that this proposal be resubmitted.

The project is focused on describing the cognitive, behavioral and physical effects of sexual abuse on nursing home residents both at the time of the event and 12 months later; on documenting the medical, psychological and crisis services provided; on documenting the evidentiary and forensic findings; on examining the demographics and offense characteristics of the offenders; and on documenting the processes and outcomes of the investigations of these cases. One of the decisions that has been made concerning the format of the new submittal was to eliminate the interviews with families and/or victims. This should reduce many of the confidentiality problems that may have occurred with the original design. Rather, it will focus on how many cases get reported to the Ombudsman or Adult Protective Officer and the outcome on these cases. This will require discussions with these officials in which the name and other identifying characteristics of the victim can be kept confidential.

Once again, we are requesting letters of support for this project. Would you consider writing such a letter saying, "I am writing to give my support to the proposed project, "Sexual Abuse in Elderly Nursing Home Residents," being submitted by Dr. Ann Burgess. Since such a project has never been done before, and since the data base which is being developed is very important, we are willing to participate in this project." Please send this letter of support by September 5, 2001, to Ann at:

Boston College School of Nursing
140 Commonwealth Ave.
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

As it was in the original project, there is a provision for compensating the Ombudsmen for their participation. If you have any questions about the project, please direct them to Tim Baker at Tbake03@attglobal.net. You can also call Tim at 301-588-4426. If you are intending to write a letter of support, we would appreciate your letting Tim know this via email. In addition, Tim is willing to take calls or email from any residents, family or others who have been involved in cases of sexual abuse of the elderly who would be willing to “tell their story.”  Because this study addresses a matter of great concern to NCCNHR, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Alice H. Hedt, Director
National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
1424 16th St. NW Suite 202
Washington DC 20036-2211
202-332-2275 phone
202-332-2949 fax
ahedt@nccnhr.org
http://www.nursinghomeaction.org
http://www.ltcombudsman.org