what are the laws with MADD patients and sexual assault?

Question

Thanks to everyone who responded to my parental rights question-your insight was very helpful-so much so that I would like some help with something else- I am an assistant at a group home for mentally disabled adults. A few months ago, a client of mine attacked me, held me down, fondled me, and told me I was his and he loved me-Since then he has said he dreams about me nightly. I know this is a risk I take by working in this field-HOWEVER- I do not feel safe being in the same room with this particular client anymore. Now, the company is telling me that they believe the client has some guilt and sexual issues with me JUST being in the house and if the situation doesnt get resolved, I will be forced to transfer to another home almost an hour from where I live and if I refuse, they said I will be terminated. What are my legal rights here-?after all I was the victim and in no way did anything wrong. Can they really fire me if the client doesn't come around? Thanks so much for your advice

MADD= mentally and developmentally disabled

Answer 1

Unless your state's not an "at will" state, or you feel you're being conditionally fired, then no. Your employer has the right to assign you wherever and fire you for whatever (with the exception of race, religion, etc), and if you don't like, you have the right to find a new job.

Answer 2

Calrification first: MADD means Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Your patient's behavior was innappropriate, but given the circumstances, he does not know the consequences of his behavior.
Your workplace should have a policy about assault because basically that's what this was.
These folks are there because they cannot survive in the world alone and need your help.
Perhaps if you talked to your employers about a plan of action to either resolve the issue or put you to work elsewhere, it would work.
Meanwhile, if they fire you, then you have a wrongful dismissal case because you were doing your job....unless you were taught non violent crisis intervention (which your workplace should have offered every employee) and did not take remedial action to prevent the incident.

Answer 3

you said it .. you "know this is a risk" you take by working in that field ..
i understand that your safety has been compromised, however you cannot expect a mentally ill or disturbed individual to "come around" .. what would you have them do? further "disturb" him by moving him .. where? or kicking him out to the street? what would you have them do to or with him?
you knew the risk and now you feel unsafe - I would think you would welcome a transfer. That or perhaps a re-evaluation of your job choice.
jmho
and that client need counselling.. or help of some sort.
Good Luck.