Sexual harassment from older residents at long-term care facilities: is it really part of the job?

Abstract

Objectives:To explore the extent to which staff members in long-term care facilities (LTCF) have experienced situations of sexual harassment, how they commonly and ideally manage the situation, and how their work position influences their responses.Design:Cross-sectional quantitative study, using the vignette technique.Method:A total of 2,196 staff-members who were currently working in Spanish LTCF participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Questions regarding sexual harassment were analysed by a vignette that described a case of sexual harassment. Participants had to choose common and best practices for dealing with the case, and report the frequency with which they had experienced similar situations.Results:The results indicate that 29.9% of participants had experienced an episode of sexual harassment in a LTCF similar to the one presented in the vignette. Responses to the situation were diverse and there were significant differences between common and perceived best practices. Differences were also found depending on the work position of the participant (manager, technical staff or nursing assistant).Conclusions:There is a need for a fuller recognition of the sexual needs of older people. However, the presence of inappropriate sexual behavior must also be acknowledged. The right of staff to work in an environment free of harassment must be respected. The need for explicit institutional guidelines and training opportunities is discussed.

The complexities of sexual behavior in residential aged care

“…As higher level of knowledge has been correlated with more positive attitudes toward sexuality in LTCF (Aguilar, 2017;Mahieu et al, 2016), there is a strong need for education programs in this area. Villar et al (2019) conclude that the presence of inappropriate sexual behavior must be acknowledged. We concurstaff have the right to be safe in their workplace, and cases of genuine sexual harassment should be appropriately addressed.…”

“…In this volume of International Psychogeriatrics, Villar et al (2019) highlight the complexities of sexual behavior in aged care, focusing on sexual harassment from older residents as perceived by staff. Reviewing the literature on sexual harassment in healthcare, the authors note that although research has focused on the prevalence, types, and consequences of sexual harassment, the way in which staff manage sexual harassment episodes is an area that has been relatively unexplored.…”

“…perceived best practice) to manage a hypothetical situation of sexual harassment. The authors reasoned that "understanding these strategies [that staff employ to manage episodes of sexual harassment] may help to prevent sexual harassment and to mitigate any negative consequences" (Villar et al, 2019).…”

Care Staff’s Sense-making of Intimate and Sexual Expressions of People with Dementia in Dutch Nursing Homes

“…Care professionals can thus express (professional) intimacy toward residents and facilitate residents to, privately, experience intimacy and sexuality. Conversely, care professionals can also become the unwanted object of sexual advancement or even harassment (Villar, Fabà, Serrat, Celdrán, & Martínez, 2020).…”

Sexual harassment or disinhibition? Residential care staff responses to older adults' unwanted behaviours

“…However, there is debate about the extent to which inappropriate behaviours are a manifestation of the above issues: loss of privacy; ageist assumptions and staff reacting without clear guidance. Nevertheless, the literature raises concerns that healthcare workers in this sector are a vulnerable workforce who experience endemic levels of harassment (Grigorovich & Kontos, 2019; Villar et al, 2020).…”