What it means
Sexual contact or behavior without consent, including touching, rape, and making someone watch or take part in sexual images. A child, or an adult who is unconscious, intoxicated or has a severe cognitive impairment, cannot legally consent. It can happen within families and relationships (intimate partner violenceIN-tih-mut PART-ner VY-uh-lensPhysical, sexual or emotional harm, stalking or control by a current or former partner or spouse.Full entry ) and leaves physical and emotional harm that can last for years.
For the nurse
Provide privacy, believe and support the client, and avoid blame. Health care workers are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse and, in most states, of abuse of vulnerable adults. After a recent assault, a specially trained nurse (SANE) collects evidence, so the client should not bathe or change clothes first if possible.
Related terms
elder abuse
Harm or neglect of an older adult by someone they should be able to trust, such as a family member or caregiver.
mandatory reporting
A legal duty to report certain things, such as suspected abuse or some diseases, to the proper authorities.
intimate partner violence
Physical, sexual or emotional harm, stalking or control by a current or former partner or spouse.