Abuse and safeguarding
What is abuse?
Adults at risk can be abused in several different ways. Below are some examples of the different types of abuse or neglect:
Discriminatory Abuse
‘David has learning and physical disabilities. He is often called names and shouted at because he looks and walks differently to other people.’
Financial Abuse
‘Joy’s son takes her pension to do her shopping. Joy is not allowed to choose what is bought and is not given any money for herself.’
Organisational Abuse
‘Ahmed lives in a residential home. Sometimes care workers lose patience and shout at him. He is often left on his own for long periods of time without a drink and rushed through his evening meal if he takes too long. He is put to bed at 7pm because the home is short staffed.’
Neglect
‘James lives at home and is looked after by his son. Sometimes there is no food in the house and James is not allowed to have the heating on.’
Physical Abuse
‘Mollie cares for her partner, who has a long term illness. Mollie sometimes gets angry and hits him.’
Psychological Abuse
‘Margaret is disabled and needs help to live at home. Her carers have threatened her by saying she will have to live in a residential home if she doesn’t make their job easier.’
Sexual Abuse
‘Alan has learning disabilities and attends a day centre. Another adult touches him in an intimate way that Alan doesn’t like.’
The Care Act describes three additional categories of abuse: modern slavery, domestic abuse, and self-neglect. Other types of abuse include sexual exploitation, hate crime, mate crime, radicalisation, female genital mutilation, cyber abuse, honour based violence, and forced marriage.
Visit the social care institute for excellence website for more information on types and indicators of abuse.
Read our easy read guide to understanding and reporting abuse [Word]
What is safeguarding?
Adult safeguarding is a legal requirement under the Care Act. Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, whilst also making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted. Including, where appropriate, taking into account their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs before deciding on any action.
We aim to support adults at risk to retain independence and be able to live a life free from abuse and neglect. Everyone has the right to be safe, to be respected and to be heard. Everyone has a role to play to make this happen.
