Disabled patient was repeatedly victim of abuse

An investigation by Ruth Teichroeb of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer explored the case of a profoundly developmentally disabled woman who was raped and impregnated in her own home. A nursing assistant was charged with rape. The investigation found that it was the second time in two years a male nursing assistant was suspected of sexually assaulting her, but no safety measures were introduced after the incident in 2006. Some have questioned whether male nursing assistants should be responsible for the care of non-verbal, vulnerable female patients. A recent ballot initiative passed calling for increased training for nursing assistants.