My nan was living peacefully in a supported living facility for the elderly when she was sexually assaulted by another resident. To our horror, we discovered that her assailant was a convicted child sex offender, and yet, neither my nan nor any of the other residents were informed of his past. Shockingly, when we tried to address the issue, the company managing the facility attempted to silence her, advising her not to report the incident.

This alarming incident highlights a critical gap in the safeguarding measures within care homes and assisted living facilities across the UK. While staff members are rightly subjected to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to ensure the safety of the residents, there are no such measures in place for the residents themselves. Vulnerable elderly individuals have the right to feel safe in their homes, just as much as any other member of society.

It is crucial that the government mandates DBS checks for all residents in care homes and assisted living facilities, just as they do for staff. This will ensure that individuals with a history of sexual or violent offences are known to the facility's administrators, who can then take appropriate precautions to protect other residents. Additionally, it should be a legal requirement for care facilities to inform all residents if another resident is a convicted sex or violent offender. Transparency is essential for the safety and well-being of the residents.

The statistics speak volumes. According to the Office for National Statistics, there has been a noticeable increase in reported incidents of abuse in facilities for the elderly. This trend is deeply troubling and calls for immediate action. Policymakers must understand that the safeguarding of our elderly population is a pressing matter that requires legislative intervention.

We urge the UK government to amend existing regulations to include mandatory DBS checks for residents and implement transparency policies for informing residents of potential threats within their communities. The safety and dignity of our elderly should never be compromised.

Please sign this petition to help protect our loved ones and ensure the safe environments they deserve.