HCC Personal Care, Inc. (HCC) prohibits and does not tolerate sexual abuse in the workplace or in any HCC related activity. HCC provides procedures for employees, volunteers, family members, board members, patients, victims of sexual abuse, or others to report sexual abuse and disciplinary penalties for those who commit such acts. No employee, volunteer, patient or third party, no matter his or her title or position has the authority to commit or allow sexual abuse.
HCC has a Zero-Tolerance policy for any sexual abuse committed by an employee, volunteer, board member or third party. Upon completion of the investigation, disciplinary action up to an including termination of employment and criminal prosecution may ensue.
Sexual abuse is inappropriate sexual contact of a criminal nature or interaction for gratification of an adult who is a caregiver and responsible for the patient or child’s care. Sexual abuse includes sexual molestation, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, or sexual injury, but does not include sexual harassment. Any incidents of sexual abuse reasonably believed to have occurred will be reportable to appropriate law enforcement agencies and regulatory agencies.
Physical and behavioral evidence or signs that someone is being sexually abused are listed below.
Physical evidence of abuse:
- Difficulty in walking
- Torn, stained or bloody underwear
- Pain or itching in genital area
- Bruises or bleeding of the external genitalia
- Sexually transmitted diseases
Behavioral signs of sexual abuse:
- Reluctance to be left alone with a particular person
- WWearing lots of clothing, especially in bed
- Fear of touch
- Nightmares or fear of night
- Apprehension when sex is brought up
Reporting Procedure
If you are aware of or suspect sexual abuse taking place, you must immediately report it to W. Jackson Nelms, President at 804-378-7780, extension 234. If the suspected abuse is to an adult, you should report the suspected abuse to your local social services or to the Adult Abuse & Neglect hotline at 1-888-832-3858. If the suspected abuse is to a child, you should report the suspected abuse to your local or state Child Abuse Agency. If you do not know your state child abuse agency you can call the Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline at 1-800-522-7096.
Appropriate family members should be notified of alleged instances of sexual abuse.
HCC should report the alleged sexual abuse incident to their insurance agent.
Anti-retaliation
HCC prohibits retaliation made against any employee, volunteer, board member or patient who reports a good faith complaint of sexual abuse or who participates in any related investigation. Making false accusations of sexual abuse in bad faith can have serious consequences for those who are wrongly accused. HCC prohibits making false and/or malicious sexual abuse allegations, as well as deliberately providing false information during an investigation. Anyone who violates this rule is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or criminal prosecution.
Investigation and Follow-up
HCC will take all allegations of sexual abuse seriously and will promptly and thoroughly investigate whether sexual abuse has taken place. HCC will use an outside third party to conduct an investigation. If HCC has a trained internal investigation team in place, the team will be used to investigate the incident. HCC will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or other regulatory agencies. It is HCC’s objective to conduct a fair and impartial investigation. HCC hereby provides notice that it has the option of placing the accused on a leave of absence or on a reassignment to non-patient contact pending the investigation and subsequent assessment.
HCC will make every reasonable effort to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential
as possible while still allowing for a prompt and thorough investigation.
Sexual Abuse Policy Reporting Procedure
Child Abuse & Neglect, in Virginia:
Child Protective Services – Toll-Free Hotline: Dial “1” & then 800-552-7096
Or Outside Virginia: (804) 786-8536
Adult Abuse & Neglect, In Virginia
Adult Protective Services – Toll-Free Hotline: Dial “1” & then 888-832-3858
