Abuse or Neglect

Publications

Alliance to End Sexual Violence in Long Term Care

DRW and partners built the Alliance to End Sexual Violence in Long-Term Care to advocate for and promote the effective support of survivors of sexual assault who have disabilities and live in long term care environments.

Welcoming and Respectful Environments: What advocates need to know

This resource is to help advocates stay true to their focus of upholding the rights of residents in the wake of sexual violence. When long-term care facilities provide welcoming and respectful environments it, in turn, promotes the autonomy, independence and empowerment of each resident.

External Links

Handbook for Washington Seniors

This Legal Voice publication is a comprehensive quick-reference guide on a wide range of legal issues affecting Washington seniors, including health care, finances, housing, elder abuse, and discrimination.

Crime Victims and Public Safety

The Department of Commerce, Crime Victims and Public Safety page can help people who experience domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other crimes to locate non-emergency victim service providers in Washington State.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO)

The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) advocates for residents of nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities. LTCO’s purpose is to protect and promote the resident rights guaranteed these residents under Federal and State law and regulations.

Washington State Medical Examiner’s and Coroner’s Offices [PDF]

A suspicious or unexpected death, including one in which abuse or neglect may have been a factor, may be reported to County Coroners and Medical Examiners [PDF].

Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (WCSAP)

Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (WSCAP) provides information about the rights of crime victims, including answers to questions about sexual assault, such as what to do after an assault and where to seek support.

Vera Institute of Justice

The Vera Institute of Justice has launched a new website focused on ending abuse of persons with disabilities.

Washington State Office of the Attorney General

The Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division provides information on a wide range of topics of interest to consumers, including scams that target seniors. This page provides a list of consumer issues, includes Consumer Resource Center contact information, and allows individuals to file a complaint online.

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) Complaint Information

The Washington State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of health care provider fraud committed against the State’s Medicaid program. The MFCU also monitors complaints of resident abuse or neglect in Medicaid-funded nursing homes, adult family homes, and boarding homes.

Report Social Security Fraud, Waste or Abuse

The Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Fraud Hotline and online reporting system take reports of alleged fraud, waste, or abuse.

Residential Care Services (RCS) Online Incident Reporting

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Residential Care Services (RCS) provides licensing, certification, and regulatory oversight to long-term care facilities. Here, mandatory reporters can complete an Online Incident Report of suspected abuse, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Complaint Resolution Unit (CRU) [PDF]

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Residential Care Services (RCS), Complaint Resolution Unit (CRU) hotline, 1-800-562-6078, accepts calls from the public about nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult family homes, institutions for persons with intellectual disabilities, and certified supported living settings. This fact sheet [PDF] provides an overview of the investigative process, investigation reports and additional resources.

Elders and Vulnerable Adults – Protection from Abuse and Neglect

This Northwest Justice Project (NJP) publication provides information about who is considered a vulnerable adult in Washington, Washington’s Vulnerable Adult Protection Act, Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders, and other protection issues.

Adult Protective Services

This Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) page includes a number of links to information about how to report adult abuse or neglect, including self-neglect and what happens after Adult Protective Services (APS) is contacted.

Child Protective Services (CPS)

Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families webpage provides information about how to report child abuse or neglect, including which information is helpful to have ready when making the report and what happens after Child Protective Services (CPS) is contacted.

Abuse or Neglect of a Child or Vulnerable Adult – Reporting

Suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult in Washington State may be reported to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) statewide abuse hotline at 1 (866) End-Harm (363-4276) any time day or night. This hotline may take a message or redirect the caller to another number. This link also provides information about mandatory reporting, the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, and additional ways to report suspected abuse or neglect, including resources in several languages.