Nursing homes often inadequately handle instances of resident sexual abuse, according to a literature review.

Norwegian nursing researchers at Sør-Trøndelag University College looked at 60 studies and closely examined six recent articles from the United States.

“Many nursing homes did not report further about sexual abuse or they delayed reporting to authorities. There was also a lack of documentation of abuse,” they wrote. “There is a risk that sexual abuse against older persons is not taken seriously since they, due to ageism, may be seen as asexual.”

Results were published in Nursing Research and Practice