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Keeping Adults Safe from Abuse

Some adults can be vulnerable to abuse and unable to protect themselves for all kinds of reasons. They might have a physical or learning disability, a mental health problem, or could be vulnerable because of old age or frailty.

Through our safeguarding team, we are working to prevent abuse of vulnerable adults and to help protect those who cannot protect themselves.

If you are being abused, or you know someone who is, you can help by making sure that abuse is reported.

What is abuse?

Abuse is anything that harms another person, even if it is unintentional. Although it is not always visible and can be difficult to detect, all abuse is unacceptable and could be a criminal offence.

• physical abuse: hitting, pushing, pinching, misusing medication, scalding, restraint, hair pulling
• sexual abuse: sexual assault, or sexual acts to which consent has not been given or to which an individual felt pressured into consenting
• emotional abuse: threats of harm or abandonment, being deprived of social or any other form of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, harassment, being prevented from receiving services or support
• financial abuse: theft, fraud, pressure in connection with wills, property, or inheritance, misuse of property, possessions or benefits
• neglect: ignoring medical or physical care needs and preventing access to health, social care or educational services or withholding food, drink and heating
• discrimination: based on race, age, religon, sexuality or disability
• institutional abuse: people being mistreated in care or nursing  homes because of poor or inadequate care, neglect and poor practice.

Practitioner Alliance Against Abuse of Vulnerable Adults (PAVA) - Information to help bring professionals working with vulnerable adults together.

Associated documents:

  Adult Abuse is Wrong Leaflet  (0.14 MB)

Other Information

Who to contact if you suspect someone is being abused
Safeguarding Adults/Adult Protection Policy Information
Forced Marriages