In disturbing news out of Australia today, the Daily Telegraph reports that several women at the country's Bramble House nursing home had allegedly been assaulted and raped by a male dementia patient over a period of several months, beginning in April 2007. Though the Department of Health and Ageing said everything had been done to stop the abuse, the matter is believed to still be under investigation.

The resident had apparently been observed trying to unbutton the clothing of female patients and had fondled and groped several of them. Case notes also included an allegation of rape. The abuse continued despite additional behavior management procedures and segregetion of male and female residents. Luckily, the resident is no longer living in the home. But what about the emotional and physical pain and embarassment obtained by the women?

Too often, nursing homes who provide care to residents with serious mental illnesses do not take into account the rights of the other residents to be free from harm and violence. As a result, some patients with known and documented aggressive behavior are allowed to seriously injure – if not kill – other residents. Parents would not tolerate this behavior in schools, co-workers would not tolerate this behavior in an office setting, so why would our elderly family members deserve any less respect?

Contact a Nursing Home Attorney if you suspect your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect while in a nursing home facility.