Who is an adult at risk?
Someone over 18 years old who:
- has needs for care and support (whether or not we are meeting any of those needs) and;
- is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
- as a result of those care and support needs, is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.
What is abuse?
Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. It may also be a criminal offence. Abuse hurts people in many ways: it can cause fear, suffering, injury or even death. Abuse can take many forms. It can be obvious but sometimes it is subtle.
Examples of abuse
- Physical: restraint, over medication, hitting or threatening to hurt someone
- Financial: Pressure to change a will, share PIN number, taking or borrowing possessions without the owner’s consent, over charging, pressure selling
- Psychological: name calling, discrimination, threats, humiliation, not listening to a person's wishes
- Sexual: touching, marriage or sexual acts without a person’s consent, professionals involved in intimate relationships with their clients
- Domestic abuse: controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse by someone who is or has been an intimate partner or family member
- Organisation abuse: including neglect or poor care within an institution or specific care setting
- Self- neglect: this covers a wide range of behaviour - neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviours such as hoarding
- Modern slavery: encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude
Who abuses?
Anyone can become an abuser. Most abusers are known by the adult at risk. The abuse can happen anywhere – in the home, in the community, in day or residential care, in hospital or at college. Abusers can be a:
- family member
- friend
- neighbour
- a paid carer
- a health or care professional
- work colleague
What should I do if I suspect abuse?
- always listen carefully
- make a note of what has happened or what you are worried about
- if you are an adult who is being abused, or think you may be, talk to someone you trust or contact us
- if you are a person, an adult at risk trusts to tell about abuse, ask their permission to contact us, or the police, if a criminal offence is suspected
- if you are a paid carer or volunteer, tell your manager or another manager in your agency
What happens next?
- we will listen and take you seriously
- we will help decide which the most appropriate agency to work with you is
- we can visit you, or the adult at risk and find out what is happening
- we will work with you to investigate and establish the facts
- if necessary, we can help you to report the abuse to the police or other agencies who may be able to help with an investigation
E-learning
To learn more about this topic you can use our free safeguarding adults e-learning tool.